California Lawmakers Propose $400 Gas Rebate

On Thursday, California State Democrats introduced a $400 cash rebate to every California taxpayer.

According to the proposal, they would use $9 billion of the states budget surplus to provide a $400 rebate which would cover the current 51.1 cent per gallon gas tax for one full year of weekly fillips for a car with a 15 gallon gas tank.

A release from Petrie-Norris’ office said that this is a better approach than suspending the gas tax, saying that would stifle funding for transportation projects and “offers no guarantee that oil companies would pass on the savings to customers.”

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris said the proposal would put money back in Californians pockets and blamed the Russia-Ukraine conflict sending gas prices sky high.

“Soaring gas prices are hitting Californian’s at the pump, we know our constituents are hurting right now,” said Petrie-Norris. “We know too many Californians are struggling to make ends meat right now. We are here to offer help. We are here to deliver solutions.”

Locally, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan spoke about the benefits of the rebate.

Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Contra Costa County): “I just want Californians to know that we hear you and we see you. We see the pain you are feeling at the pump, how inflation is effecting you everyday when you are doing your grocery shopping and feeding your family. What we as the Assembly Democrats want to do is put this money, this $400 gas rebate into your pockets, not into the pockets of oil companies but straight to you as California taxpayers and the people we know are feeling this pain every single day so we proposed this $400 cash rebate and we hope it provides you with relief given what is happening everyday in our economy. We see you, we hear you, and we care about you California.”

Also participating in the approximate 30-minute press conference include: Assemblymembers:  Ken Cooley, Jesse Gabriel, Adam Gay, Jacqui Irin, Assemblyman Evan Low, Chad Mayes, Kevin Mullin, Blanca Rubio, Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Carolos Villapudua.

Earlier this week, California Republicans pushed for suspending the 51-cent per gallon tax but it failed to pass the Assembly floor in a 40-18 vote.