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ASCCA Member Action Alert:
Contact Your Legislators to Oppose AB 755
- This bill would increase the current California tire fee from $1.75 to $3.25. The additional revenue would go to municipal storm-water projects that prevent or remediate zinc pollutants.
- Storm-water runoff comes from rain that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, street signs, lights, benches, paved streets, highways, etc. carrying with it pollutants such as oil, pesticides, herbicides, sediment, trash, bacteria and metals which then can drain untreated directly into a local stream, lake or bay. All of these pollutants pose a threat to aquatic life and public health.
- Why is the focus on tires; when they contain a minimal amount of zinc in order to accelerate the vulcanization process (making rubber durable).
- Many other outdoor metal surfaces made with galvanized steel and coated with liquid zinc for corrosion protection (e.g. street signs, lights, benches, etc.) also contribute zinc pollutants into the storm-water runoff. Zinc is contained in countless consumer products. Any new fees and taxes for storm-water projects should be shared fairly among all of the zinc surfaces/products that cause pollutants to enter storm runoff.
- This new tax will fall hardest on those with the least ability to pay, namely low-income individuals and hard-working families. The bill institutes a "regressive" tax that, combined with the current tire fee, will increase the cost of a set of new tires by $13.00.
- Tire retailers have countless stories of potential customers delaying tire purchases when they find out the cost of new tires and the add-on fees. They have watched low-income consumers deciding to defer their tire purchases and simply drive away on dangerous balding tires. The bill is only going to worsen the problem.
- Other sources of revenue should be considered for storm-water projects including local funding and state Prop 1 Water Bond, not just a tire tax.
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