California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his annual State of the State address on Tuesday.
WATCH:
Gov. Newsom proposed a tax rebate amid record-high prices at the pump but rejected calls to increase oil drilling, saying he wants to free the state “from the grasp of petro-dictators once and for all.”
The average price for a gallon of gas in California is the nation’s highest at $5.44.
Newsom provided no specifics on the rebate.
A spokesperson said it would total in the billions and could occur before May.
In a wide-ranging address, Newsom offered “a California Way” of governing as the antidote to what he called the “agents of a national anger machine.”
After years of mask mandates and lockdowns, Newsom has been setting an upbeat tone in recent weeks as he prepares to run for reelection this year.
Newsom is dealing from a position of strength, having easily beat back a recall effort in 2021 that caused some of his Republican rivals to decide not to challenge him this year.
