While California Democrats would likely prefer to focus on their campaigns with ballots dropping in exactly one week, their fearless leader, Gavin Newsom, has other plans for them. Tomorrow, Assembly Democrats will vote on Newsom’s refinery storage mandate that is so reckless and irresponsible that his own administration warns it could raise gas prices on consumers. This is not just a California problem either. Arizona’s Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs begged Newsom to reconsider his bill, saying it “could slash Arizona’s gasoline supply, raise prices at the pump and threaten Arizona’s strong economic growth.”
But there’s still time for California Democrats to do the right thing. We’re talking to you, Pilar Schiavo, Sabrina Cervantes, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Esmeralda Soria, Corey Jackson and Jacqui Irwin. We’re also talking to you Dave Min and Josh Newman for when it inevitably goes to the Senate next.
California gas is the most expensive in the nation. Californians constantly rank the economy as the top issue facing the state. So why would Gavin Newsom and California Democrats think that now is the right time to raise gas prices on already cash-strapped Californians who are struggling to get by thanks to their disastrous one-party rule? And why would they reject Republicans’ commonsense solutions that could actually lower gas prices?
It’s hard not to notice that Democrats in competitive races are being eerily quiet about what they think of this bill and how they plan to vote – either fall in line behind Governor Newsom or take the coward’s way out and decline to vote, which also supports Newsom’s plan by refusing to stop it. With one day to go before the vote, it’s time for these Democrats to answer: will you be voting for Newsom’s plan to raise Californians’ gas prices? And do you find this to be a helpful vote to cast right before Californians get their ballots?
BOTTOM LINE: If California Democrats Pilar Schiavo, Sabrina Cervantes, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Esmeralda Soria, Corey Jackson, Jacqui Irwin, Dave Min and Josh Newman support this bill, California Republicans will spend the next 36 days making sure voters know who is to blame for their ever-increasing gas prices.