Newsom wants a special session to tackle gas prices. Assembly Republicans are ready

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE THEIR OWN SPECIAL SESSION BILLS

California Assembly Republicans last week unveiled their own plan for the upcoming special session, which Gov. Gavin Newsom and Assembly Democrats intend to use to pass legislation to try and drive down gasoline prices.

The Assembly Republican Caucus announced seven bills that they contend would actually bring gas prices down.

That includes bills to exempt gas from California’s cap-and-trade program — which they say adds 30 cents to the cost of a gallon of gas; a bill to suspend the state’s gas tax for one year; a bill to require the California Energy Commission to regularly update a public dashboard to compare California’s gas prices to national averages and more.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, said in a statement that Newsom has failed to bring down the cost of gas, and the special session is an attempt to distract from that.

“While Democrats fall in line behind a scheme that Newsom’s own administration says could increase gas prices, Assembly Republicans have a common-sense plan to give drivers relief,” he said.

Most, if not all, of these bills face steep odds in the Democratic supermajority-controlled Legislature, as well as against Newsom’s well-used veto pen.

Newsom spokesman Daniel Villaseñor told The Bee in an email that “This sounds like Big Oil’s wish list. Nothing in these proposals will stop the enormous spikes in gasoline prices that bring huge profits to the oil industry and misery for consumers. The Governor is focused on real solutions that protect Californians from getting gouged at the pump.”

CALCHAMBER TAKES A STANCE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT MEASURES

Election Day is coming soon, and the California Chamber of Commerce last week officially weighed in on the ballot measures going before California voters.

Here’s where CalChamber stands:

• On Proposition 2, the bonds for public schools and community college facilities, CalChamber is in support.
• On Proposition 3, which strips the anti-same-sex marriage language from the State Constitution, CalChamber is in support.
• On Proposition 4, which authorizes bonds for safe drinking water and wildfire prevention, CalChamber is neutral.
• On Proposition 5, which authorizes local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects with 55% voter approval, CalChamber is opposed.
• On Proposition 6, which eliminates the California Constitution’s provision allowing involuntary servitude of incarcerated people, CalChamber did not consider that measure.
• On Proposition 32, to increase the minimum wage to $18 an hour and then index it to inflation, CalChamber is opposed.
• On Proposition 33, which would empower local governments to allow rent control, CalChamber is opposed.
• On Proposition 34, which would restrict spending of prescription drug revenues by certain health care providers, CalChamber is in support.
• On Proposition 35, which would provide permanent funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services, CalChamber is neutral.
• On Proposition 36, to allow certain theft- and drug-related crimes to be charged as felonies, CalChamber is in support.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I don’t control Laura, Laura has to say what she wants. She’s a free spirit.”

- Former President Donald Trump, speaking at a Los Angeles press conference about his relationship with conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has made racist posts on X about Vice President Kamala Harris and who has claimed the Sept. 11 terrorist attack was an inside job. Loomer has been traveling with Trump as he campaigns.

Best of The Bee:

• California approves fourth PG&E rate hike this year. How much will be added to your bill? Via Ari Plachta.

• Governor Gavin Newsom signs bill toughening California’s retail theft punishment, via Nicole Nixon.

• California judge rules against school district’s ‘forced outing’ policy of transgender students, via Andrew Sheeler.