California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s oil mandate passed its first step toward approval on Tuesday.
The California Assembly voted to approve Newsom’s oil mandate during the special session of the Legislature.
The backstory: On the last day of the Legislative calendar, Newsom called a special session to consider his proposal to require oil refiners to keep a minimum reserve on hand to prevent fuel price spikes.
- Newsom’s proposal also would give the California Energy Commission the power to require oil refiners demonstrate resupply plans to address the loss in production from refinery maintenance.
- While Republicans have vocally pushed back against the mandate, the governors of Arizona and Nevada also wrote a letter to Newsom opposing it, fearing that it would result in gas price increases in their states.
The big picture: The proposal passed through the Assembly on a 44-17 vote. While it was widely supported by Democrats, several abstained from voting.
- Asm. Joaquin Arambula (D–Fresno) was the only lawmaker from the Central Valley to support the mandate.
- Two Central Valley Democrats – Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D–Delano) and Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) – voted against the proposal, while Asm. Carlos Villapudua (D–Stockton) abstained.
- All Central Valley Republicans voted against the mandate.
What we’re watching: Newsom’s oil mandate will now go to the California Senate for consideration.
What they’re saying: “Gavin Newsom is continuing his legacy of driving up costs for drivers and Assembly Democrats are once again enabling his pricey agenda,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City). “Newsom’s scheme won’t do a damn thing to lower gas prices, and he knows it. As long as Democrat politicians refuse to stand up to the governor, costs at the pump are only going to increase.”
