Far too many Californians are finding themselves having to make hard choices about how to spend their paycheck. Millions are having to choose between filling up their gas tank and buying groceries for the week, paying bills and rent on time, or whether they’re able to afford a family vacation. With inflation at a 40-year high, and skyrocketing gas prices and utility costs, California has become unaffordable. We deserve real solutions that will lower costs and allow us to live comfortably in the Golden State.
Californians pay the highest gas prices in the nation. Here in Southern California, gas rates are especially shocking: in Orange County, the price of gas today is a whopping 42% higher than it was a year ago. Excessive taxes are to blame for our gas prices being so high. The first $1.30 per gallon that Californians pay goes solely to taxes, fees, and regulations. To make matters worse, gas taxes are set to increase in July due to record-breaking inflation. All of this while I still see gas prices over $6 per gallon across Orange County.
Inflation has also devastated workers and our small business community. Inflation-adjusted earnings declined for workers, falling 2.6% over the past year. Moreover, 93% of small business owners report inflation having a moderate or substantial impact on their business. Nearly all of small business owners report the recent increase in gas and fuel prices having some degree of negative impact on their business, and more than three-quarters of small employers report rising fuel costs as a substantial contributor to higher costs.
In addition to devastating gas prices, Californians also pay sky-high utility costs. Last year, California’s residential electricity price was almost 76% higher than the national average, costing residential ratepayers an additional $9 billion. These high rates are in part due, yet again, to political mandates and high taxes. It’s no wonder that millions of customers are behind on paying their utility bills.
I see and hear the pleas of Californians for help. That is why I’ve championed efforts to lower costs for hardworking families and small business owners. I am proud to be a Joint Author of Assembly Bill 1638, which would have instantly lowered the cost of gas by 51.1 cents a gallon. This proposal would have provided immediate relief to drivers across the state. I also authored AB 1596, which would have fully repaid the unemployment insurance debt and prevented a new tax on small businesses. Furthermore, I support cutting utility costs for every Californian, including halting unnecessary and expensive mandates, supporting more hydropower, and using all clean energy sources.
The ruling Democratic Supermajority in Sacramento ignores the needs of our families in Orange County and has failed to bring down gas prices, inflation, and utility costs—which is why California needs policy solutions like those I’ve authored and supported. I will continue to fight to lower costs for all Californians so everyone can make ends meet.
Since 2016, Steven S. Choi, has represented the 68th District in the California Legislature, which includes Anaheim Hills, Lake Forest, Irvine, Orange, North Tustin, Tustin, and Villa Park.
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