SACRAMENTO (KMJ) – As gas prices in California are on the verge of shooting up as much as 65 cents per gallon, Assembly Democrats are being blamed for blocking legislation meant to prevent the hike.
AB 12 would have repealed an update to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which is expected to drive the highest prices in the US even higher. But democrats on Monday, rejected the bill on a party-line vote.
“Assembly Democrats talked a big game about affordability this year, but when push comes to shove, they fall right in line with Newsom’s high-cost agenda,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (East Nicolaus). “Californians are tired of paying the highest prices in the country for just about everything, but they can’t count on Sacramento Democrats to provide any relief. Newsom’s “Hidden Gas Tax” increase was recently rejected by the state’s Office of Administrative Law because it lacked clarity and was adopted with an incorrect procedure, but Newsom’s bureaucrats have announced they intend to re-submit the mandate with minor changes”.
As of Monday, AAA Fuel Price report says California drivers are paying an average of $4.84 for a gallon of regular. That’s $1.70 higher than the US average. In Fresno, the average cost is $4.85.
Recently, the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) rejected the California Air Resources Board’s proposal to increase fuel prices. This drew applause from Fresno Councilmember Annalisa Perea who issued a release stating: “While I strongly support efforts to advance clean energy and environmental sustainability, we must ensure that these policies do not come at the expense of hardworking families and small businesses”.
Meanwhile, on the national front, President Donald Trump announced this week that he will be working with Republicans in Congress to ease the pain at the pump felt by Americans, as global uncertainty and seasonal trends continue to force gas prices higher.
The rising cost of energy has put a dent in the president’s plan to bring down inflation, and the additional threat of tariffs coupled with seasonal refinery maintenance has kept prices high, according to the Mail. Yet Trump sees hope in offering companies incentives for keeping manufacturing in the U.S. and working with Republicans in Congress to lower taxes across the board, aiming for a reduction in gas prices.
