SANDAG Board scraps ‘Mileage Tax’ from 2025 Regional Plan.
SAN DIEGO Association of Governments Removes Controversial Mileage Tax from Regional Plan
In a decisive 15-4 vote, the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) Board of Directors has officially eliminated the contentious Regional Road User Charge, also known as the mileage tax, from its 2025 Regional Plan.
The removal of the tax was spearheaded by San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, who led a passionate protest outside SANDAG’s office before the board meeting.
“This policy threatened the core principles of American freedom and imposed a disproportionate burden on the majority of our region’s residents,” declared El Cajon Mayor Bills Wells, a vocal opponent of the tax. “Today, we proudly announce a committed and unified stance to eliminate this regressive tax.”
“The notion of being tracked and taxed for every mile one drives is fundamentally contrary to the values that define our great nation,” expressed El Cajon Mayor Bills Wells. “San Diego has long stood as a beacon of individual liberty and personal choice, and the mileage tax undermines these principles at their core.”
In December 2021, SANDAG approved the 2021 Regional Transportation Plan without the inclusion of the mileage tax, raising concerns about funding the $165 billion plan.
Among the proposed funding strategies by SANDAG leadership were a four-cents-per-mile road usage tax and two half-cent regional sales taxes scheduled for 2022 and 2028. SANDAG estimated that the road usage tax could generate over $34 billion by 2050, but the agency’s chief economist, Ray Major, acknowledged that the figures would change once the proposal’s implementation scope narrowed down to 2030.
However, San Diego County Supervisor Chairwoman Nora Vargas dismissed much of the concern as misinformation.
“The previous SANDAG Board directed an amendment to remove the [Road User Charge] from the regional plan,” clarified Ms. Vargas. “SANDAG is working on this and will submit the amendment to the state. The state will make the final decision. To be clear, no government agency has the authority to implement a tax that would impact our region without voter approval.”
Last September, SANDAG’s Board of Directors voted to exclude the mileage tax from the Regional Transportation Plan, following a sudden change of heart by several Democratic lawmakers.
Despite the board’s decision, SANDAG’s Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata proceeded with a plan that retained the charge. However, Mr. Ikhrata has recently announced his departure from the regional planning agency, effective Dec. 29.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a frequent critic of SANDAG’s regional transportation plan, emphasized the need for a unified regional plan that everyone can support, rather than relying on doom and gloom scenarios and mileage taxes.
The board consists of representatives from the 18 municipalities in the county and the county at large.
What alternative solutions will SANDAG now explore in order to address the region’s transportation needs without imposing a mileage tax
And personal choice, and this mileage tax would have diminished those core principles.”
The Regional Road User Charge was initially proposed as a means to generate revenue for transportation infrastructure improvements. The tax would have required residents to pay a fee based on the number of miles they drove, with the intention of incentivizing the use of public transportation and reducing traffic congestion.
However, the idea faced fierce opposition from concerned citizens and local officials who argued that it disproportionately targeted low-income individuals and families who rely on cars for their daily commutes. Critics also raised privacy concerns, as the implementation of the tax would require tracking the mileage of every vehicle in the region.
Mayor Rebecca Jones emerged as a prominent voice against the mileage tax, rallying support and mobilizing a grassroots movement. Her efforts culminated in a passionate protest outside SANDAG’s office on the day of the board meeting.
“I believe in responsible and sustainable solutions for our transportation challenges, but this was not the answer,” stated Mayor Jones. “We need to explore alternatives that do not burden our working families and infringe on their privacy rights.”
The removal of the mileage tax from the 2025 Regional Plan represents a significant victory for the opponents of the measure. It signifies a commitment to finding alternative funding sources for improving transportation infrastructure while ensuring that the burden is not unfairly placed on certain segments of the population.
SANDAG will now shift its focus towards exploring alternative solutions that address the region’s transportation needs without imposing a mileage tax. This may include exploring public-private partnerships, leveraging state and federal funding, and implementing innovative transportation systems.
Board Chair and San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer expressed optimism about the future of transportation planning in the region. “We have an opportunity to chart a new course—one that prioritizes equity, sustainability, and efficiency. With the removal of the mileage tax, we can move forward in a way that benefits all residents of San Diego County.”
The decision to remove the controversial mileage tax demonstrates the importance of public engagement and the power of organized grassroots movements. It also serves as a reminder that policymakers must carefully consider the potential impacts of new policies on all segments of society.
As the region continues to grow, finding sustainable and equitable transportation solutions will remain a pressing issue. The removal of the mileage tax opens the door for innovative approaches that prioritize the needs and values of San Diego County’s diverse population.
By eliminating the mileage tax from the 2025 Regional Plan, SANDAG has taken a significant step in ensuring that transportation planning in the region reflects the principles of fairness, privacy, and individual liberty that are cherished by its residents.
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