As part of the relief package announced Wednesday, all Californians with a registered vehicle, up to two vehicles per person, would receive $400 tax rebates on a debit card. That part of the plan, would cost $9 billion, which would be funded from the state budget surplus.
According to the Governor's office, the average California driver spends approximately $300 in gasoline excise tax over a year.
We’re proposing $9 billion in tax refunds to address rising gas prices -- $400 per registered vehicle, up to 2 per person. We’re also proposing grants so public transit can be free for 3 months.
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 23, 2022
We know Californians are paying at the pump & with this refund, millions get $ back. pic.twitter.com/fNZOT3ds4S
Newsom also proposed spending another $750 million in grants to incentivize public transit and rail agencies to give Californians free rides for three months.
Another $600 million would be used to pause part of the state's diesel sales tax rate for a year and another $523 million to put a hold on inflationary adjustments made to gas and diesel tax rates.
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The Governor's office said Newsom is expected to meet with the Legislature to discuss the relief package. If approved, Californians could see payments by July.
VIDEO: Experts give Newsom's gas rebate plan mixed reviews