The state gas tax rises today by 3.5 cents a gallon, which means you’ll now be paying the nation’s highest tax at 72 cents a gallon. Read Clark Mason’s story about it HERE.

Also today, 400,000 BART commuters will be finding other ways to work today as members of Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 strike. Contract negotiations are stalled over salary, pensions, health care and safety issues. Read more about it HERE and HERE.

See photos of the mess the strike is causing here

Did they choose a light traffic week (because of the Fourth of July holiday) or has your commute been impacted by the strike? Let us know in the comments below or by email to linda.castrone@pressdemocrat.com.