Over the weekend, Gavin Newsom used his powers as California governor to call for a special legislative session that gives lawmakers more time to address the issue of gas price spikes before the end of the year.
However, some lawmakers are rejecting the call as they are already busy with their own political campaigns as the November election draws closer.
Newsom’s Declaration
Governor Newsom invoked powers granted to him under the state constitution to call for the special lawmaking session.
“I, Gavin Newsom, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with Section 3(b) of Article IV of the California Consitution, hereby convene the Legislature of the State of California to assemble in extraordinary session in Sacramento,” the declaration said.
Governor’s Statement
In a statement from the governor’s office published on August 31, the Newsom administration highlighted the move as a way to fend off gasoline price spikes.
“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special session of the Legislature to address the pernicious problem of gasoline price spikes at the pump — and save Californians hundreds of millions of dollars annually,” said the governor’s office statement.
Profit Spikes
Newsom’s office was sure to emphasize the harm that price spikes have on customers, and how they feel oil companies are taking advantage of supply shortages.
“Price spikes on consumers are profit spikes for oil companies, and they’re overwhelmingly caused by refiners not backfilling supplies when they go down for maintenance,” said the statement.
Previous Effort
This latest move from Newsom comes amid the governor’s war with oil companies.
Last month the governor put forward a proposal that would expand the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) authority to force producers to maintain a minimum fuel reserve so supply shortages wouldn’t lead to as many price spikes.
Saving Money
The governor’s office estimates that if this proposal had been in effect previously, it would have possibly saved California residents billions of dollars.
“If this proposal had been in effect last year, Californians could have saved hundreds of millions — if not billions — of dollars at the pump as evidenced by this Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO) analysis,” said the August 31 statement.
Common Sense Proposal
Newsom released a statement defending the energy package proposal, and urging the legislature to use the special session to act.
“It should be common sense for gas refineries to plan ahead and backfill supplies when they go down for maintenance to avoid price spikes. But these price spikes are actually profit spikes for Big Oil, and they’re using the same old scare tactics to maintain the status quo,” Newsom said. “Calling the session now allows the Legislature to begin that work immediately so that the state can resolve this important matter to establish the necessary rules to prevent price spikes next year and beyond.”
Rejecting the Session
However, Newsom’s plan for a last-minute session to get the proposal passed has hit a roadblock as Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire has come out against it.
“The Senate always had the votes and was ready to get these important measures across the finish line this legislative year,” McGuire said. “We won’t be convening a special session this fall, but we look forward to continuing conversations with the Governor and Speaker about this critical issue in the days and weeks to come.”
Newsom’s Authority
Although Governor Newsom is given the authority under the California constitution to call the legislature into a special session, no enforcement measures would force lawmakers to comply.
The governor can lay out some scope of what can be discussed, but ultimately the lawmakers, even if complying with the declaration, would still have control of the session.
Supporting the Session
Some lawmakers, like Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, have come out to excitedly support the declaration from Newsom.
“I believe when the governor issues a proclamation, it’s our constitutional obligation to get that work done,” Rivas said.
Difference of Opinion
On Friday, McGuire and Rivas met with Newsom, and McGuire outlined how he was in favor of working cooperatively despite refusing the legislative session.
“There is a difference of opinion of bringing the Legislature in for the session or not. That’s fine. But I firmly believe that we had the opportunity to be able to get the votes and provide Californians with the relief they need at the gas pump and on their utility bills,” said McGuire.
Blatantly Undemocratic
Brian Jones, the leader of the Senate Republicans, thanked McGuire for dissenting on the governor’s declaration and framed the whole ordeal as anti-democratic.
“It’s blatantly undemocratic for Newsom to finally show up to his day job and demand the Legislature instantly cave to his demands, all so that he can feel relevant again and get a splashy headline,” said Jones.
