Politicians eager to send Californians cash for gas – Press Telegram

Californians face a stubborn shortage of basic necessities (housing, water, and perhaps electricity), but this election year, politicians are offering numerous plans to give them billions of dollars to offset a sharp rise in gas prices.

Why, with so many other issues in need of political attention, are Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers focused on gas prices, which have risen due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine? It’s because for the voting public, having to spend more to fill their tanks is a frequent reminder of how life costs have spiraled up.

Last week, a new survey by the California Institute of Public Policy found that “Thirty-five percent of Californians say recent price increases have caused severe financial hardship for themselves or others in their homes. seven percent of lower-income residents say they are going through severe financial hardship due to the recent rise in prices.

Inflation is now the most squeaky wheel and in an election year, especially one in which the legislative and congressional districts have been altered due to population changes, and politicians are rushing to apply fat in the form of cash payments.

“We are taking immediate action to get money directly into the pockets of Californians facing higher gasoline prices as a direct result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” Newsom said as he offered his $ 11 billion version.

Newsom’s is the most expensive of at least four plans being thrown around the Capitol, including a Republican proposal, dead on arrival, to suspend the state’s gas tax.

It wants to give all Californians debit cards of $ 400 for each of their cars, with a maximum limit of two vehicles, in addition to grants to allow transit systems to provide free travel for three months to about 3 million passengers each. day, and the postponement of a scheduled increase in fuel taxes. .

His plan is somewhat similar to that presented by a group of Democratic lawmakers, who are asking for $ 400 payments from every Californian who filed an income tax return. However, by basing car payments rather than tax returns, Newsom’s plan would benefit those, such as seniors living with Social Security pensions, who do not file tax returns.

The biggest contrast is between Newsom’s plan and that offered jointly by Senate President Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, which would give $ 200 payments to taxpayers and their dependents, excluding households earning more than $ 250,000. per year.

No matter what methodology is used for the rebates, the most complicated issue will be whether all Californians who file a tax return and / or own a car should benefit, regardless of their income, or whether relief should focus on income strata. lower most affected by inflation.