- California Democrats approved a 50- to 65-cent gas tax increase under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, effective July 2025, despite Republican opposition.
- Analysts warn gas prices could hit $8.44 per gallon by late 2026 due to refinery closures and regulations.
- CARB admitted it never studied the economic impact of the tax, sparking criticism from Republican leaders.
- Two major refinery closures will reduce California’s refining capacity by 20%, worsening shortages and price spikes.
- Critics argue the tax disproportionately harms working-class families while advancing radical climate policies.
(Natural News)—In yet another assault on working-class Californians, the state’s Democratic supermajority has greenlit a staggering 50- to 65-cent gas tax increase under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), set to take effect July 1, 2025.
Republican efforts to block the hike failed miserably in a 18-39 Assembly vote, leaving drivers to brace for what analysts warn could be $8.44-per-gallon gasoline by late 2026. This isn’t just another tax; it’s economic sabotage disguised as environmentalism, a reckless experiment that will cripple households already drowning in the nation’s highest cost of living.
The green agenda’s hidden costs
The tax hike, approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), is framed as a necessary step to reduce carbon emissions. But the real agenda is clear: punish drivers, enrich bureaucrats, and force compliance with the state’s radical climate dogma. A USC analysis by Professor Michael A. Mische projects that the combined effects of refinery closures, the LCFS tax, and other regulations could spike prices by 75%, pushing the average gallon of gas to a jaw-dropping $8.44.
“The shutdown of the two California-based refineries could possibly place the Golden State in a precarious economic situation,” Mische warned, noting daily gasoline deficits of 6.6 to 13.1 million gallons. This could mean shortages, rationing, and economic chaos.
Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Brian Jones (R-San Diego), fought tooth and nail to halt the tax through Senate Bill 2 (SB 2). But Democrats, who dominate the legislature, killed the measure in a 10-23 vote. Jones blasted the decision, stating, “Senate Democrats unanimously opposed it. They had a chance to stand with California drivers, but instead, they chose to defend the highest gas prices in the nation.”
CARB’s arrogance was laid bare when Chair Liane Randolph admitted the board never studied the economic impact of the LCFS on gas prices. “That admission is stunning,” Jones said. “CARB is making billion-dollar decisions that hit every family at the pump, and they’re doing it without even asking what it will cost.”
A perfect storm of regulatory disasters
California’s gas crisis isn’t just about taxes. The pending closure of two major refineries, Phillips 66 in 2025 and Valero in 2026, will slash the state’s refining capacity by 20%. Pair that with draconian environmental rules like Cap and Trade and SBX1-2, and you’ve got a recipe for energy poverty.
CARB spokesman David Clegern downplayed the crisis, calling projections of a 65-cent hike “misinformation” and claiming costs could be as low as 5 to 8 cents per gallon. But Californians aren’t buying it. The state already pays $1.50 more per gallon than the national average, and this new tax will only deepen the pain.
Who really pays?
Those who will end up paying for this decision include the working class, small businesses, and single parents driving to work. Democrats love to preach “equity” while enacting policies that crush the very people they claim to protect. The LCFS tax isn’t about saving the planet; it’s about control. It’s about forcing Californians into expensive electric vehicles or government-dependent public transit, all while ignoring the real-world consequences: shuttered businesses, higher grocery bills, and families choosing between gas and groceries.
California’s leaders are doubling down on failure. While they virtue-signal about climate change, they ignore the economic tsunami heading for their constituents. The gas tax hike is a betrayal, a surrender to ideological extremism at the expense of common sense. As prices soar and refineries close, remember: this was a choice. And Democrats made it for you.
Sources for this article include:
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
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In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.