Checks of anywhere from $200 to $1,050 appear likely to be coming, as Governor Newsom and the state legislature have agreed to a “framework” for a budget that includes inflation rebate checks for every California taxpayer.

Hey, whatever happened with that whole gas-price rebate check thing that Gavin Newsom and state legislators were bandying around a couple months back? It was criticized as a sop to vehicle owners and gas guzzlers at a time when, sure, gas prices were going up, but so was the price of everything else.

Well, the sausage got made in Sacramento over months of budget negotiations, and now we have a “framework” of a deal, according to a Sunday announcement from Newsom’s office. And as KTVU explains, we have modest “inflation relief” checks likely coming. And you don't need to own a car to get the money!

“The centerpiece of the agreement, a $17 billion inflation relief package, will offer tax refunds to millions of working Californians,” Newsom’s office said in the Sunday press release, as he reached the deal with Democratic legislative leaders over the weekend. “Twenty-three million Californians will benefit from direct payments of up to $1,050. The package will also include a suspension of the state sales tax on diesel, and additional funds to help people pay their rent and utility bills.”

As he is wont to do, Newsom oversells the package in his press release. KTVU is a little more honest in their assessment: “Most Californians could see a check ranging from $200 to $350 based on their income,” the station explains. “If you are single and earn less than $75,000 a year, you'll get $350. You'll get $250 if you make less than $125,000. And you'll get a $200 check if you make less than $250,000.”

“Each of those values double if you are married with joint salaries,” KTVU also adds. “That means a family of three can receive up to $1,050 in relief.”

And they are indeed also planning on suspending the gas tax under this budget proposal, according to KRON4. “The package will also include a suspension of the state sales tax on diesel and additional funds to help people cover rent and utility bills,” that station reports. “The gas tax suspension would go into effect October 1 and last for one year, providing a savings of 23 cents per gallon.”

We should clarify that this is a “framework” for a deal, and it is not final. Committees in Sacramento will hash this out in the weeks to come. But we have the governor, the Assembly speaker, and the current state Senate president in all agreement, so the outcome seems likely.

But don't go spending it yet. As KRON4 explains, “ The money could reach your bank accounts as early as late October and as late as the beginning of next year.”

Related: With Stunning $97.5 Billion Surplus, Newsom Will Spend Big to Help Beleaguered Schools [SFist]

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: California Governor Gavin Newsom attends California Governor Gavin Newsom's press conference for the official reopening of the state of California at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 15, 2021 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)  

Yesterday, Mayor Newsom's office announced a new initiative called JOBS NOW!, which aims to fund jobs using federal stimulus money for 1,000 San Francisco residents who have at least one child and earn less than twice the federal poverty level, which equals about $37,000 a year for a family of three or $44,000 for a family of four. The $25 million worth of federal funds will subsidize the successful candidates' salaries at jobs provided by the local government, private businesses, and nonprofits through September of 2010. Employers will be responsible for the workers' Social Security and other payroll taxes.

The initiative had started as a pilot program in May for 200 participants who were on CalWORKS welfare assistance. So far, the program has hired warehouse workers and clerical staff and could be expanded to housekeepers, kitchen staff, or groundskeepers. Robert Miller, director of books at the Internet Archive, told the Chronicle that his organization has hired 40 workers under the program and would like to add dozens more.

Interested job seekers should call 311 for more information about the initiative, and interested employers, who do not have to be located in San Francisco, can call 1-877-JOB1NOW. Additionally, One Stop Employment Center on Mission Street currently has several JOBS NOW! openings posted on its wall.

Governor Schwarzenegger attended a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the repaving and repair of Interstate Highway 80 in Fairfield (between state Highway 12 and Air Base Parkway), which is the first California infrastructure project to be funded by federal stimulus money. The 50-year-old stretch of highway is used by over 200,000 vehicles per day, and the $13.5 million project is said to provide 200 construction jobs. Top Grade Construction of Livermore submitted the lowest bid, which was 40 percent lower than Caltrans' cost estimate. The governor's office said the savings will be used for other highway projects. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. California is expected to receive nearly $850 million in federal economic stimulus money this month for transportation projects.

President Obama's controversial economic recovery plan passed the Senate, and is now on its way to House-Senate negotiations. According to AP, "Just three Republicans helped pass the plan on a 61-37 vote and they're already signaling they'll play hardball to preserve more than $108 billion in spending cuts made last week in Senate dealmaking. Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states." But Republicans are still snippy about the entire thing "This is a spending bill, not a stimulus bill," whined Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. The stimulus bill could cost up to $838 billion.