Looks like some of us middle-class will get shut out again based on the numbers

[theking]

 :

SACRAMENTO — California’s budget surplus has soared to a record $68 billion, Senate Democrats said Thursday, California’s budget surplus has soared to a record $68 billion, Senate Democrats said Thursday, fueling a range of new spending proposals that include giving $8 billion back to taxpayers in the form of $200 checks.

In January, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom estimated California would have a $29 billion surplus this year. But since then the state has collected a lot more in taxes than it had expected as wealthy people — who pay much higher taxes in California — got richer.

Thursday, Democrats who control a majority of seats in the state Senate revealed how they would spend that money. The package includes a “Better for Families Rebate,” which would send a $200 check to every taxpayer who makes less than $125,000 per year, or $250,000 per year for couples who file joint returns. The state would also send $200 checks for each dependent, meaning a family of five would get $1,000.

That proposal puts Democrats at odds with Newsom, who has proposed sending checks as large as $800 to people who own cars in California to help offset record high gas prices. Newsom says his plan will cost about $9 billion.