I haven’t been to Los Angeles since I was in fourth grade, but I remember the traffic being horrendous. The smog was also pretty disgusting. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gotten any better—in fact, according to California Assemblyman Mike Feuer, “the people of Los Angeles have just had it when it comes to traffic and air quality.”

Fine. I can understand that. But the solution is definitely not to pass a “global warming tax.”

However, that’s exactly what Feuer is proposing. He’s the author of bill 2558, legislation that would institute a “climate change mitigation and adaptation fee” already endorsed by the board of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This would mean drivers could end up paying an extra 9 cents per gallon at the gas pump or an additional $90 on their vehicle registration, either of which would add an additional $400 million a year for public transit projects.

Needless to say, not everyone is pleased by this scheme. The Los Angeles Times reports:

But opponents already are rallying against the measure, saying it exploits public concern about climate change to tap taxpayers for the MTA’s regular services: providing bus and rail lines.

“This seems to be a cashing in on public sympathies on global warming to generate additional funding for programs that already exist,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.

Coupal also objected to the measure’s being called a “fee” — which requires a simple majority for approval — instead of a “tax,” which requires two-thirds approval.

Another opponent wrote a letter to the editor, which appeared in the Desert Dispatch on Monday:

Los Angeles County motorists should ask Mr. Feuer what global temperature would persuade him that a new tax is unneeded. Global warming, now conveniently rechristened “climate change,” is perfect for demagoguery. Those advancing the cause won’t explain how they will know we have won the global warming fight, let alone what the ideal temperature is supposed to be.

Climate has changed as long as the Earth has spun on its axis. It’s been considerably warmer in recent centuries than today, and during those periods humanity simply adapted, indeed, flourished with fewer cold-weather deaths and more abundant crops.

But facts don’t deter schemes like Mr. Feuer’s to raise $400 million in additional taxes to pay for already funded transit projects.

Read the rest of the LTE here, and the LA Times piece here. And in the meantime, let’s hope California voters reject this tax scheme.