I’ve been sounding the alarm on high gas prices and needless taxes for eight years in the state Legislature and seen some really bad bills. But nothing more ridiculous than what we’ve endured this week during a special session of the Senate.
The Legislature was in a special session because Newsom wanted oil companies to create reserves of an unknown amount to prevent “price spikes” during refinery maintenance. The theory is that these reserves could be released to stabilize prices. I voted no on this bill but it passed anyway along party lines. My colleague Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh introduced a bill placing a moratorium on gas taxes until we can review this issue further. I would’ve voted yes on this, but the bill was not given a hearing.
It’s ludicrous to believe that it’s in the best interest of Californians to allow unelected bureaucrats in Sacramento to dictate refinery operations that affect the entire oil industry.