California gas-tax debate heats up as Trump pushes federal relief

With California’s drivers paying among the highest prices in the nation, Gov. Gavin Newsom faces growing pressure to suspend the state’s 61-cent gas tax even as President Trump advocates a temporary federal gas‑tax pause. Supporters say relief is needed, but Newsom and others warn that a federal pause would not fix underlying costs or fund road repairs, and state lawmakers have shown little appetite to suspend the state tax. Any federal action would require Congress, complicating the relief effort.