The Latest: Tax hikes fund $52 billion California road plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a California road funding plan proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders (all times local):

5 p.m.

Republicans opposing the transportation funding plan crafted by the governor and legislative leaders say it would slap drivers with the largest gas tax increase in California history.

The plan unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers would boost gasoline excise taxes for the first time in more than two decades.

Republicans argue California already collects enough money from the gas tax and vehicle fees.

Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley said the state government has mismanaged transportation funding for decades and that Californians deserve better.

Brown said the plan would cost most drivers less than $10 per month and would be offset by reduced vehicle-repair expenses. The governor and Democratic legislative leaders hope to rush it through the Legislature next week.

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2:20 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown and leaders of the California Legislature are proposing a $52 billion plan to fix California’s roads.

The state’s Democratic leaders said Wednesday that they would pay for it with a big increase in the gas tax, higher car registration fees and a $100 charge on emission-free vehicles.

The proposal would boost gasoline excise taxes by 12 cents a gallon, a 43-percent increase. It also includes a sliding fee on vehicles, with owners of cheaper vehicles paying less.

A constitutional amendment would require that the money be spent only on transportation projects.

Brown says the money will mostly go to fixing existing roads and bridges.

The measure will require support from two-thirds of lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate because it raises taxes.

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1:30 p.m.

Officials want to hike gas taxes and vehicle fees to raise $52.4 billion over 10 years to fix California’s roads and bridges.

A source tells The Associated Press that the package being announced Wednesday afternoon includes a proposed constitutional amendment to safeguard the money.

The source has direct knowledge of the proposal but would not be named because details had not been officially announced.

The proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic leaders of the Legislature would boost gasoline excise taxes by 12 cents a gallon - a 43 percent increase.

It also includes a sliding fee on vehicles, with owners of cheaper vehicles paying less.

The constitutional amendment would require that the money be spent only on transportation projects.