Blasts Newsom’s Last Minute Climate Package
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) issued a statement in response to California’s statewide Flex Alert issued just days after Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new complex and expensive climate agenda during the final days of the legislative session.
“Energy shortages, flex alerts and blackouts are a direct result of failed Democrat policy in California,” said Gallagher. “But instead of
accepting this reality, the Governor and his coalition of fringe activists want to jam through a new set of laws at the last minute that will make energy less affordable and less reliable. And with inflation at a 40-year high, his timing couldn’t be any worse for Californians struggling to make ends meet.”
Early estimates show that the Governor’s plan could cost taxpayers $130 billion dollars, add $50,000 to the median price of a home and eliminate 8,000 jobs.
“If Newsom’s goal is to force even more people to flee to Florida and Texas, passing this climate package would accomplish that objective. It’s already next to impossible to own a home, pay your utility bill, buy groceries, and fill up your gas tank in this state. Expect a long line at your local Uhaul if Democrats fall in line with Newsom on this,” said Gallagher.
The Governor’s new plan attempts to repeal and replace the state’s already ambitious carbon reduction goals put in place by his predecessor, Governor Jerry Brown. It also omits any funding or regulatory relief to help prevent catastrophic wildfires that have largely neutralized any gains the state has made towards reducing its carbon footprint.
The Governor’s proposal will likely be met with resistance in the Legislature given the short timeframe until adjournment on August 31st and the reality that some of Newsom’s concepts already stalled in the Legislature earlier this year.