California Gov. Newsom announces historic surplus of $97.5 billion

Newsom stated that Californians should be provided with relief from inflation as one of his top priorities in the budget.

He said, “People feel deep stress and deep anxiety.”

He proposed that registered car owners in the state receive $400 checks, up to two per person. He estimated that the state would spend about $11.5 billion on this. Newsom stated that the money would not go to car owners but should be considered an “inflation relief and refund”.

He said, “It could be a rebate for you to address the issue grocery, or it could be to address other cost burdens that you are facing.”

However, Democratic legislators have a different approach to providing relief. They propose to only give $200 checks to people below a certain income.

Republicans say that Newsom should suspend for one year the highest-in-the-nation gas tax in the state. They also requested that he increase the tax credit for renters, and provide new tax credits for students.

“Senate Republicans believe that there is a better method to invest in the state,” stated Sen. Rosilicie Bogh, Yucaipa.