Pouring Fuel on the Fire
Californians Can’t Afford More Pain at the Gas Pump!
Say NO to $7-$8/Gallon of Gasoline
Voters are increasingly angry and quickly losing faith in Sacramento politicians’ empty promises to fix California’s self-inflicted affordability crisis. And rightfully so.
Now, two politically dangerous bills — SB 684 and AB 1243, also known as the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 — threaten more political upheaval by making our already sky-high gas prices even worse. Both bills would massively increase costs on California’s families, workers, businesses and anyone who drives a car.
The reality is that California already has the highest gas prices in the nation by far, driven largely by excessive taxes, fees and regulations. Right now, state-imposed costs add nearly $1.60 to every gallon of gas — and that’s before any new legislation.
Now, SB 684 and AB 1243 propose to add tens of billions of dollars in new costs onto fuel producers — costs that will inevitably be passed on to you, the consumer. This is nothing short of a stealth gas tax, further impacting consumers and voters across the state.
Here’s what these bills would do:
Impose massive new “climate liability” costs on fuel manufacturers — a legally murky and financially crippling move that will discourage investment and threaten local supply. This comes on the heels of two refinery closure announcements that are expected to significantly raise fuel prices and threaten entire community economies and thousands of local union jobs.
Set a bad precedent for retroactive penalties that will send a chilling message to job creators and energy producers across California.
Create a slush fund for Sacramento politicians to spend with minimal oversight, while Californians foot the bill.
The consequences are clear…
Even higher gas prices at the pump — just when working families are already falling behind on their bills.
Fewer in-state fuel suppliers as companies abandon California’s punitive regulatory environment — reducing competition, tightening supply and raising prices at the pump.
More job losses in California’s energy and transportation sectors — hitting middle-class workers the hardest.
Higher costs for everything — from groceries to other goods due to increased transportation expenses.
Two refineries have already announced their closures, and industry experts warn that more will follow if these bills pass. That means more imports, more supply chain delays and more cost spikes — all thanks to a costly and out-of-touch political agenda.
Enough is Enough: Vote NO on SB 684 and AB 1243
Voters are fired-up about the out-of-control cost of living in this state — and for good reason. Families are already forced to make painful choices at the gas pump, the grocery store and when paying for housing. Instead of delivering relief, Sacramento is considering policies that would pour more fuel on the fire.
As Dan Walters recently opined, California’s high cost of living and resulting affordability crisis are largely “self-inflicted”.
“… California’s economic woes predate Trump. Much of it was self inflicted”
By Dan Walters
Originally published in CalMatters 4/22/25