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Danielle Bell

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 23, 2022 

STATEMENT: The Greenlining Institute Applauds Governor Newsom’s Transportation Relief Proposals 

Equity investments will benefit communities of color and low-income communities

(Oakland, CA)–Today, Governor Newsom unveiled a series of new proposals designed to ease the burden of skyrocketing gas prices while also accelerating California’s aggressive climate action agenda.

The proposals include:

  • $9 billion in direct payments to millions of Californians, including at least $400 per vehicle for registered vehicle owners
  • $2 billion in relief for free public transportation for three months
  • Pausing a portion of the sales tax rate on diesel, and suspending the inflationary adjustment on gas and diesel excise tax
  • $500 million to support active transportation programs, like walking and biking projects
  • Fast-tracking $1.75 billion in transportation equity investments of the Governor’s historic $10 billion ZEV package to get more Californians into clean vehicles faster and build charging stations

Statement from Alvaro Sanchez, Vice President of Policy, The Greenlining Institute: 

Skyrocketing gas prices and rising inflation most hurt low-income people who often rely on older, less fuel-efficient transportation or public transit. These near-term benefits like the gas tax rebate and three months of free public transit will help ease the burden on hardest hit communities.

The proposal also fast-tracks the transportation equity investments within the Governor’s $10 billion zero-emission vehicle package, such as the Clean Cars 4 All and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program, helping get more lower-income Californians into clean vehicles sooner and building critical charging infrastructure. These are the kinds of policy commitments we need to move us away from fossil fuels and equitably transition to clean vehicles. The Governor’s additional proposed investments in active transportation programs like walking and biking projects move us closer to achieving that long-term vision of moving our communities away from single-use vehicles by strengthening clean mobility options.

This is the comprehensive approach we need to meet this moment and get closer to ending our dependence on fossil fuels once and for all.

The Greenlining Institute applauds this proposal that actually centers the needs of historically underserved communities while also tackling climate change. This sends a message that California can be a model for the rest of the country by doing both.