SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A group of 11 state assembly members announced a new measure Thursday aimed at helping Californians pay record-high prices for gas at the pump.
The proposal includes sending a $400 rebate to every California taxpayer, meant to help cover the cost of gas. Under the proposal, those who do not own or drive a car will still receive the rebate, according to lawmakers, because of the state's increase in living expenses.
The total funding needed for the proposal, estimated at $9 billion, would come from the state's budget surplus.
Assembly members Cottie Petrie-Norris, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Jesse Gabriel, Adam Gray, Jacqui Irwin, Evan Low, Chad Mayes, Blanca Rubio, Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Carlos Villapudua announced the proposal on the North steps of the capitol at a press conference after the State Assembly adjourned Thursday.
Under this proposal, every California filer will receive a rebate—including those who don’t own or drive a car—because all Californians have seen an increase in living expenses.
"It will help out a little but that's just me filling up my tank four times," said Erell Smith, San Diego driver.
On Monday, another bill failed in the assembly also aimed at helping Californians when it comes to gas prices. Monday's failed proposal called for a suspension of the state's 51-cent per gallon gas tax and was brought forth by Republican lawmakers.
"The idea is to maybe just suspend the gas tax, there's no guarantee that that will be passed along to consumers," said Asm. Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills).
During his State of the State address, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a gas tax rebate. Republican leaders said they would be open to supporting a gas tax rebate but that it must come with a gas tax holiday.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose Thursday for the 23rd consecutive day, increasing 1.5 cents to a record $5.82.
The average price has risen $1.076 during the streak, including 3.3 cents Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 10.9 cents more than one week ago, $1.084 higher than one month ago and $1.912 greater than one year ago.
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