California elections among the most competitive + Lawmakers call on CARB to tackle trucking

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CALIFORNIA RANKS THIRD IN LEGISLATIVE COMPETITIVENESS

California is home to some of the most competitive state legislature races in the country, according to a recent report from nonpartisan election watchdog Ballotpedia.

The report found that 2022 was the most competitive year for state legislative races since 2010.

“The overall rise in competitiveness in 2022 is due to the presence of more open seat contests and incumbents facing more primary challenges. At the same time, there is a decline in head-to-head matchups between Republican and Democratic candidates in the general election,” according to the report.

California tied with Nebraska for No. 3 in the country, behind No. 2 Nevada and first place Michigan.

According to Ballotpedia, there are 1,493 open legislative seats across the country, or 23.8%, the largest percentage since 2010.

More than 1,300 incumbents faced contested primaries, while 3,646 seats were contested by both major parties, or 58.1%, the lowest percentage since 2016.

More than a third (34%) of California legislative offices are open seats, where no incumbent is running. Just under three-quarters of all seats (74%) are being contested by both Republicans and Democrats.

MORE THAN 30 LAWMAKERS SIGN LETTER CALLING ON CARB TO CUT TRUCK POLLUTION

Several dozen California Democratic lawmakers have signed on to a letter calling on the California Air Resources Board to require 100% of zero-emission vehicle sales by 2036 and also to tighten regulations on the trucking industry.

CARB is currently considering a regulation that would require all new trucks to be zero-emission by 2040.

“According to the American Lung Association, California has the most polluted cities in the country when ranked by ozone, and by year-round and short-term diesel particulate matter pollution. One of the primary drivers of this issue are diesel trucks, which are the largest source of ozone and the smog-forming NOx pollution in California,” the letter reads in part. “Consequently and due to years of environmental injustices and land-use decisions, these toxic emissions concentrate most heavily in low-income communities of color, who often live near freeways, ports and warehouses.”

Among those signing the letter were Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-Colton, and aspiring Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas.

The lawmakers note in the letter that they passed a budget that includes $54 billion to tackle the climate crisis, including $10 billion in funding to speed up the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure, with much of that money specifically earmarked for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

The letter also points out that Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includies a 30% tax credit for zero-emission commercial vehicles and their chargers.

“This effort sends a signal to the market, manufacturers, and fleet owners and operators that California is here to support the transition to a zero-emission freight sector,” the letter reads.

The trucking industry has voiced concerns about the proposal to go all-electric.

Chris Shimoda, of the California Trucking Association, told CalMatters that while an all-electric fleet has great potential, there are “practical unknowns” such as the high cost of purchasing a new electric truck and the lack of charging stations.

You can read the letter for yourself here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“#InternationalPronounDay highlights the importance of referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves. Transgender & gender non-conforming people are most likely to be referred to by the wrong pronouns, which can have serious negative impacts on mental health.”

- Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, via Twitter.

Best of The Bee:

• Control of Congress could come down to these 3 California districts. Why they’re so close, via Gillian Brassil.

• California posted a new mailing schedule for qualifying taxpayers expecting their inflation relief dollars in a prepaid debit card, via Brianna Taylor.

• Batterers are much less likely to return to abusing their partners if they complete an intervention program required by the courts, according to the California State Auditor, but many of them do not finish the courses, via Cathie Anderson.

• California’s record-setting wildfires of 2020 destroyed 4.2 million acres of forest — and erased years of progress the state made on battling climate change, via Dale Kasler.