As California contends with the highest gas prices in the U.S., Gov. Gavin Newsom is pledging to propose a statewide gas rebate.
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Hours after President Joe Biden banned American imports of Russian gasoline and oil, Newsom announced Tuesday during his State of the State address that he will work with state lawmakers to address rising gas prices by "putting money back into Californians' pockets."
"In January, we proposed to pause the gas tax increase. But now, it's clear we must go further," Newsom said in his remarks on Tuesday. "That's why – working with legislative leadership – I'll be submitting a proposal to put money back in Californians' pockets to address rising gas prices."
Newsom didn't provide specifics on the proposed plan. The Governor's Office told this reporter in an emailed statement the proposal will take the form of a tax rebate.
"We are looking to move quickly on this, the Governor is focused on providing billions in relief to Californians who are suffering from rising gas prices across the country due to the ongoing situation in Russia," a spokesperson wrote to KCBS Radio in an emailed statement.
Newsom's office told KCBS Radio's Doug Sovern the plan will include undocumented Californians.
A regular, unleaded gallon of gasoline cost $5.44 in California on Tuesday, according to AAA. Prices exceeded the record-setting average throughout the Bay Area, costing as little as $5.48 in Santa Clara County and as much as $5.63 in Marin County.
Newsom said the state must also do more to lessen its reliance on fossil fuels, "freeing us once and for all from the grasp of petro-dictators" by fighting polluters and expanding upon California's national leadership in electric vehicle production by tapping into the state's own lithium reserve in Imperial Valley to "secure a critical component of the supply chain for batteries."
"Underscoring the importance of accelerating California's leadership in clean technology, this is not just a national security and an environmental justice imperative – clean energy is this generation's greatest economic opportunity," Newsom said.
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