Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to bring financial aid to small businesses and Californians affected by COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Newsom unveiled a proposal that would include a $4.5-billion stimulus package that includes grants and tax incentives.
The plan would provide $575 million for small businesses and what his advisors call a “California Jobs Initiative” that would direct more than three quarters of a billion dollars to create new jobs and help existing ones that have been decimated by the pandemic.
Another sizable chunk of the proposal - $1.5 billion dollars - is earmarked for incentives to purchase clean-burning vehicles and the building of new fueling and charging stations up and down the state. The vehicle subsidies would allow eligible Californians - based on income and region - up to $9,500 toward the purchase of a new or used electric vehicle.
In a written statement, Newsom said “These budget proposals reflect our commitment to an equitable, broad-based recovery that ensures California remains the best place to start and grow business.”