driving generates negative externalities like more traffic, smog, co2, damage to roads.
If the tax on gas goes to offsetting these externalities then there is nothing more fair than a gas tax. Because gas use is very correlated with generation of negative externalities.
however im sure california squanders the gas tax revenue on bullshit like infringing on personal freedoms and corrupt government contracts. Not where it actually needs to be spent.
I mean I think this is something that is true of any local government. It's the government that people don't typically care about or get involved in, so corruption at that level is typically ignored and just happens without too much scrutiny. That's just how local goverment works, and until we begin to get involved on the local level we're just going to see all of this continuing.