Newsom’s ‘Inflation Relief’ Payments Were Required by Spending Cap Law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a bill signing ceremony in San Francisco, Calif. on Feb. 9, 2022. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Despite calling the program “inflation relief,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to send California’s middle-class families up to $1,050 this year follows a law that requires the state to refund budget surplus money to taxpayers.

The governor, who is running for re-election this year, took to Twitter to celebrate the Legislature’s passage of the program last month.