By Carl DeMaio – December 20, 2024 – Image Credit: Canva

CA State Representative Carl DeMaio has introduced a bill to suspend all state taxes on gas and electricity until state politicians reform costly mandates that are spiking costs. Middle-class families would also receive $2,500 in cost-of-living relief rebates.

Are you still feeling the pinch of inflation and high taxes in California? You can thank tone-deaf California politicians who continue to introduce laws that increase our cost of living. 

That’s why California State Representative Carl DeMaio is challenging that status quo and introducing a “Cost-of-Living Reduction Act” to suspend all state taxes on gas and utilities until politicians fix the price gouging they have caused.

DeMaio is also proposing to provide each middle-class family with $2,500 in cost-of-living relief rebates annually – by returning the high taxes collected on gas and utilities last year.

“If we want politicians to address the cost crisis, we have to force them to pay the price — not our families,” DeMaio declared.

DeMaio, who also serves as chairman of Reform California, says that once this model is proven successful in driving down energy and utility costs, it would be expanded to reduce costs in home insurance, housing, and healthcare. 

California has the highest cost of living in the country. In fact, a study by the nonpartisan nonprofit Transparency Foundation found that living in California costs the typical middle-class family $28,037.28 more per year versus the national average.

DeMaio explains that much of that cost is the fault of the state’s liberal politicians.

“California’s cost-of-living crisis has been caused by insane regulations and high taxes imposed by greedy politicians on both sides of the aisle from the state and local level that have no concept of other people’s money,” said DeMaio.

State residents pay the highest income tax, gas tax, sales tax, and more versus the rest of the country. In spite of that, the state continues to overspend and raise taxes to backfill budget shortfalls when needed, says DeMaio. He warns of more tax increases on the horizon and points to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, which just predicted insufficient funds in the state budget for the coming years.

“This tax-and-spend philosophy is hurting our hardworking families and chasing them out of the state because they just can’t afford to live here anymore — absolutely terrible and self-destructive government policy and management,” he continued.

DeMaio introduced the “Cost-of-Living Reduction Act” on his first day in office on December 2nd as part of his “Contract to Reform California” package. While DeMaio acknowledges the bill may not get a hearing in January when the State Assembly reconvenes, he says that forcing these conversations is important — and that if his colleagues refuse to engage, then there’s always the ballot box.

“We should be prepared to present the ‘Cost-of-Living Reduction Act’ as part of our Contract to Reform California directly to the voters in the 2026 election,” said DeMaio.

DeMaio encourages the public to support the Cost-of-Living Reduction Act and the broader Contract to Reform California by sharing it with friends and family and contributing to the campaign.