Stimulus Check Update: $400 Tax Rebate Proposed in California Amid Gas Price Hike

A new stimulus check in California amid the gas price hike would allow taxpayers to receive a $400 tax rebate check to help with the rising cost of daily items and services.

California lawmakers are clamoring for the said stimulus check. However, it is not yet officially decided upon, according to Marca.

The said stimulus check amid the gas price hike eyes to provide every Californian resident a $400 rebate to help with the impact of the rising costs, regardless of how much money they are making as long as they pay their state income taxes.

The planned stimulus check would go out to individual taxpayers, making a married couple receive $800.

New Stimulus Check in California Amid Gas Price Hike

Every California filer will receive a rebate, including those who do not own or drive a car under the new proposal, according to Fox 11.

Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris said many Californians feel severe financial pain with the gas prices and ask California leaders for help.

She noted that many residents believe that a rebate is the best approach to directly put money in people's pockets. Petrie-Norris said their goal was to be able to distribute the stimulus checks in the spring, adding that they are pushing it to really happen.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's administration expects a budget surplus of around $45 billion. So there will be a lot of money available to help the citizens of California.

Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher of Yuba City said there was an urgent need for relief right now with the high costs across the board and not just gas. Gallagher noted that all of the daily living costs have increased.

California to Cut the State Gas Tax?

According to Cottie Petrie-Norris, the $400 tax rebate amount has been used as it equates to the sum a typical Californian pays in state excise taxes on gasoline per year.

Republican lawmakers are also eyeing a six-month suspension of the state gas tax, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The GOP lawmakers argued that suspension of the gas tax would be the most effective way to provide direct financial relief to Californians affected by high gas prices.

Assemblymember Kevin Kiley said the gas tax suspension naturally targeted people who feel the pain of the high prices.

Kiley's bill to suspend the gas tax failed in California. However, he said he plans to push forward another vote on the measure next week.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins said cutting the gas tax would endanger critical repair being done on California's roads, bridges, and other essential transportation projects.

In addition, Newsom and Democratic lawmakers noted that there is no guarantee that oil companies would pull back gas prices if the tax is suspended.

They also warned that companies might pocket the savings instead of passing them along to drivers at the pump.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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