California lawmakers concluded a deal Sunday night that provides tax rebates to working residents suffering from sky-high inflation and even higher gas prices. It will also fund reproductive health care in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
In a joint statement, Gov. Gavin Newsome (D), along with Senate President pro-Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon(D), announced the legislature reached the blueprint for the $300 billion 2022-2023 budget. The new budget includes $17 billion in inflation relief that will provide tax rebates in the form of debit cards or direct deposits. The one drawback, the refunds won’t be arriving until October.
KCRA3 from Sacramento reported that 23 million Californians would receive $200, $250 or $300 in relief based on their income level. The payments translate into the following numbers: Single filing earners making less than $75,000 would receive $350. A couple making $150,000 and filing jointly would receive $700. Add a dependent, and $350 is added, bringing the total to $1050. Those with higher earnings would receive smaller payments.
According to KCRA3, 82% of state beneficiaries are in the $75,000 or less category.
Among the other projects in the new budget is the suspension of sales taxes on diesel fuel. The state will shave off 23 cents per gallon on diesel in October. However, the 51 cents per gallon gas tax will not be suspended. Democrat lawmakers argued that it wouldn’t “guarantee a big enough price drop to benefit drivers.” According to KCRA3’s Lysee Mitri, the gas tax will go up by .03 cents on July 1.
Reproductive health care gets a financial boost in the new budget following Friday’s ruling deeming the 1973 Roe v. Wade case unconstitutional.
The governor’s statement reads in part, “This budget builds on our unprecedented commitment to transform the resources available in our state, from a $47 billion multi-year infrastructure and transportation package to education and health care, showing the nation what a true pro-life agenda looks like.”
“With these new investments, California will become the first state to achieve universal access to health care coverage. And in the wake of Friday’s stunning Supreme Court decision, the state is reaffirming its commitment to defending reproductive rights, providing more than $200 million in additional funding for reproductive health care services.”
