Already high gas prices are about to get even higher.
The State Board of Equalization voted on Thursday to raise the excise tax on gas by 3.5 cents, to 39.5 cents a gallon.
Three Democrats on the board voted for the raise, while two Republicans opposed it.
Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson of Fresno said, "The people who have to deal with this bad law are everyday people who are having a hard time with their money stretching to the end of the month. This is no time to be penalizing them again for fuel-efficient cars and traveling less and an economy that is not rebounding the way it should."
The new tax rate goes into effect July 1st.
The revenue from the tax goes to maintain roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure.
Right now, gas prices in the Fresno area average $4.17 for regular unleaded, which is up from $4.09 a week ago. We were paying an average of $3.60 just a month ago.