Pain at the pump: gas prices set to skyrocket this summer

A chance to repeal the gas tax is cruising toward the November ballot as some Central Coast drivers take drastic measures to afford their daily commute.

From trading in their current vehicles for a hybrid, canceling summer vacation plans and even relocating to cut down on drive time, gas prices have folks feeling the pain at the pump.

Crude oil prices are at the highest level they’ve been in over three years and with supply and demand, they’re expected to climb even further.

“Today we are making history in San Diego with the greatest number of signatures ever submitted for a citizen’s initiative,” said Carl DeMaio, Tax Repeal Advocate.

Republicans delivered over 900,000 signatures in order to qualify an initiative for the November ballot aimed at repealing the state’s new 12 cent a gallon gas tax.

“The voters are not going to be fooled they are going to fight and take their money back,” said DeMaio.

Among the highest in the nation, many drivers say the gas tax has their wallet on “E.”

A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline now fills up to over $3.50 in every major city in California.

The average national price for a regular gallon of gas is now $2.81, so we’re clocking in about 30% above average.

Just in time for that family road trip, filling up will cost you even more.

The Oil Price Information Service say this summer will be the most expensive driving season since 2014.

“It’s usually the ploy, when it’s needed most the prices are the highest so I don’t know, it kind of feels like we’re getting messed with,” said Joyce Harrington, a Santa Maria driver. “I’m semi-retired and my budget is limited and it’s a big chunk,” she said.

Experts are predicting that we’ll top off at $4 a gallon during peak summer travel season.

“We life to take the kids down to San Diego for the summer but I don’t think this year if the gas prices are too crazy,” said Rafael Ruiz.

While repealing the gas tax could provide some relief, it could also mean loosing some $5 billion dollars in money for road and transit projects, including several here along the Central Coast.

The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors have approved $2.3 million dollars worth of road pavement projects this year.

They include paving six miles of O’Donovan Road in Creston and Bennet Way in Templeton.

That construction project starts in the next few months.

A portion of the funds from the gas tax will also be used to repave Main Street in Templeton.