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Governor Newsom has proposed a plan to send debit cards worth up to $400 to California drivers to give them relief at the pump.
The Governor's announcement is part of a proposed $11 billion package that his office claims would help residents deal with the high price of gasoline, which has soared to a statewide average of $5.87 per gallon in California. The proposal has several different sections of funding allocation for transportation relief for Californians.
The debit cards would be mailed to registered owners of vehicles, with a maximum of $800 per individual for those who own more than one vehicle. In addition, Governor Newsom wants to provide relief to non-drivers by making rail and mass transit service free for at least three months, according to the proposal. “We’re taking immediate action to get money directly into the pockets of Californians who are facing higher gas prices as a direct result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” said Governor Newsom. “But this package is also focused on protecting people from volatile gas prices, and advancing clean transportation – providing three months of free public transportation, fast-tracking electric vehicle incentives and charging stations, and new funding for local biking and walking projects.”
According to the official statement, Newsom's administration will meet with the state Legislature to negotiate the details of the proposal in the coming days. If approved, the first payments could begin as soon as July.