San Diego City Wire

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones has formally requested Governor Newsom to veto Assembly Bill 251, which proposes increased fees for SUV and minivan drivers. In a letter addressed to the governor, Jones expressed his concerns about the bill, authored by Assemblymember Ward.

"AB 251 is another scheme to squeeze money out of California families," stated Leader Jones. He emphasized that SUVs and minivans are essential for many families with children, describing the bill as "essentially a tax on California families."

The proposed legislation aims to establish a task force to study the imposition of a passenger vehicle weight fee. This would potentially result in additional charges for heavier vehicles like SUVs and minivans. The bill also includes special considerations for electric vehicles, which are generally heavier than traditional gas-powered cars and are more commonly owned by wealthier individuals.

Jones highlighted his opposition through an Instagram Reel video that has received over 250,000 views. A notable comment on the video referred to AB 251 as "basically a family tax," questioning how families could manage without larger vehicles.

"The California Legislature should be focusing on ways to reduce costs for California drivers," continued Jones. He advocated for his Senate Bill 32, which proposes suspending the state's $1 gas taxes and fees as an alternative measure to alleviate financial burdens on motorists.

Senate Bill 32 seeks to lower gas prices by $1 per gallon but was rejected along party lines in committee discussions. However, it has been granted reconsideration for next year.