Senator Brian Jones Stands Firm for Californian Families: A Deeper Look into the Opposition of AB 251 "Family Tax"

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones is a defender of everyday Californian households. His recent vocal opposition to Assembly Bill 251 (AB 251), which proposes additional fees for SUV and minivan drivers, has brought him into focus.

For many Californian families, SUVs and minivans are more than just modes of transportation. They’re essential to daily life, providing safe and reliable travel for large families and those with significant commuting needs. Jones’s portrayal of AB 251 as a “family tax” resonates with this sentiment, emphasizing the bill’s potential to add an undue financial burden on households that rely on these vehicles.

But there’s more to Jones’s critique than just the weight fee. A closer examination of AB 251 reveals a potential oversight: the bill seems to give electric vehicles, which are, on average, significantly heavier than their gasoline counterparts, a pass. Considering that these vehicles are typically owned by a wealthier demographic, it raises questions about the bill’s fairness.

Jones’s dedication to the cause isn’t limited to criticizing the measures he finds problematic. By leveraging social media platforms like Instagram, he’s taken his message directly to the people. A recent video he posted drew attention to the potential consequences of AB 251, racking up an impressive 250,000 views and sparking a dialogue among Californians. Many shared their concerns, with one viewer describing the bill as “basically a family tax.”

In addition to his opposition to AB 251, Jones has been proactive in suggesting solutions. His introduction of Senate Bill 32, which proposes cutting gas prices by $1 a gallon, is a testament to his commitment to alleviating the financial strain on Californian motorists. The bill, set for reconsideration next year, offers hope in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

Leader Jones Requests Veto of Measure That Would Increase SUV and Minivan Fees

Californians agree that AB 251 is “basically a family tax”

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to veto Assembly Bill 251 (Ward, D-San Diego), a measure that aims to increase fees for SUV and mini-van drivers. Click here to read the letter.

“AB 251 is another scheme to squeeze money out of California families,” said Leader Jones. “The goal of AB 251 is to increase fees for drivers with SUVs and minivans, which are a necessity for many families with children. This is essentially a tax on California families.”

Specifically, AB 251 creates a “task force” to study imposing a passenger vehicle weight fee, which would add additional fees for vehicles with heavier weight such as SUVs and mini-vans. Suspiciously, the measure authorizes a special consideration to electric vehicles, which are on average about 33% heavier than traditional gas vehicles and disproportionately owned by wealthier Californians.

Leader Jones warned Californians about Democrat lawmakers’ intent with AB 251 in an Instagram Reel video that has garnered over 250,000 views. One comment on the video argues the measure is “basically a family tax…I don’t know how you have kids without a larger vehicle.” The comment received over 300 likes.

“The California Legislature should be focusing on ways to reduce costs for California drivers,” continued Jones. “Instead of targeting families and small businesses who need larger vehicles, we should reduce costs for motorists by passing my SB 32 to suspend the state’s $1 gas taxes and fees.”

Leader Jones’s Senate Bill 32 would immediately reduce costs for California drivers by cutting the price of gas by $1 a gallon. Democrat lawmakers rejected the bill on a party-line vote in committee, but granted it reconsideration for next year.