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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday released details of his gas rebate proposal that was first announced during his State of the State address in early March.The proposal would use $9 billion in tax refunds to help offset skyrocketing gas prices in California.Vehicle owners could get $400 per registered vehicle, but only up to two per person.Regular grade gas is a state-record $5.88 per gallon in California, the highest in the nation and about $2 more than a year ago, according to AAA.For people who don’t have cars, Newsom wants the state to pay for their bus or train fare for three months. His proposal would give $750 million to transit and rail agencies, which Newsom said would be enough to give free rides to 3 million people per day.“That direct relief will address the issue that we all are struggling to address. And that’s an issue of gas prices in our state, but of course, all across this country,” Newsom said in a video shared to Twitter. “This Direct Relief is on top of the $10 billion plus we have distributed over the last year with the Golden State Stimulus.”Another $600 million would pay for a “pause” for part of the state sales tax on diesel fuel for one year, plus another $523 million to halt a scheduled increase in the state’s gas tax this summer. The announcement comes just days after California Democrats announced their plan for the rebate that comes from the state’s budget surplus. Some Republicans who were opposed to the rebate told KCRA 3 that instead of the $400, they would like the governor to suspend the state’s 51-cent gas tax entirely. But Democrats said that would benefit oil companies. Instead, they favor giving rebates to taxpayers because they know it would go straight to the consumer.Newsom’s plan must be approved by the Legislature. Democratic leaders already have said they don’t support any proposal to temporarily halt an increase in the state’s gas tax. And many Democrats don’t like the idea of giving money to everyone, including millionaires and billionaires. They prefer targeting rebates to certain income levels.– The Associated Press contributed to this report
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday released details of his gas rebate proposal that was first announced during his State of the State address in early March.
The proposal would use $9 billion in tax refunds to help offset skyrocketing gas prices in California.
Vehicle owners could get $400 per registered vehicle, but only up to two per person.
Regular grade gas is a state-record $5.88 per gallon in California, the highest in the nation and about $2 more than a year ago, according to AAA.
For people who don’t have cars, Newsom wants the state to pay for their bus or train fare for three months. His proposal would give $750 million to transit and rail agencies, which Newsom said would be enough to give free rides to 3 million people per day.
“That direct relief will address the issue that we all are struggling to address. And that’s an issue of gas prices in our state, but of course, all across this country,” Newsom said in a video shared to Twitter. “This Direct Relief is on top of the $10 billion plus we have distributed over the last year with the Golden State Stimulus.”
Another $600 million would pay for a “pause” for part of the state sales tax on diesel fuel for one year, plus another $523 million to halt a scheduled increase in the state’s gas tax this summer.
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The announcement comes just days after California Democrats announced their plan for the rebate that comes from the state’s budget surplus.
Some Republicans who were opposed to the rebate told KCRA 3 that instead of the $400, they would like the governor to suspend the state’s 51-cent gas tax entirely.
But Democrats said that would benefit oil companies. Instead, they favor giving rebates to taxpayers because they know it would go straight to the consumer.
Newsom’s plan must be approved by the Legislature. Democratic leaders already have said they don’t support any proposal to temporarily halt an increase in the state’s gas tax. And many Democrats don’t like the idea of giving money to everyone, including millionaires and billionaires. They prefer targeting rebates to certain income levels.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report