A new legislative session has dawned in Sacramento which means lawmakers on either side of the aisle in either chamber will have a laundry list of priorities they wish to champion.
This year, however, there is a topic de jour driving lawmakers’ work in the Capitol — setting penalties for big oil companies that raised prices while bringing in profit as the economy has recovered from a pandemic-era lull. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who by law can ask legislators to meet in special session to focus on a single issue, wants lawmakers to consider the oil profit question in a special session that will run concurrently with their regular meetings, which start in January.
The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would let the California Energy Commission impose an administrative civil penalty for violations of a yet-to-be-set profit cap. It also gives the commission additional leeway to probe supply and price issues.
“California’s price gouging penalty is simple — either Big Oil reins in the profits and prices, or they’ll pay a penalty,” Newsom, who attended the kickoffs to the session’s start in both chambers Monday, said in a statement. “Big Oil has been lying and gouging Californians to line their own pockets long enough.”
Republicans aren’t on Newsom’s proposal. Some have expressed concern that penalties could lead to more high prices at the pump, and they’ve highlighted their own proposals to curtail rising fuel costs.
One such plan was unveiled by new Assemblymember Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach, during a marathon press conference held Monday by GOP members. Dixon’s proposal would allow the governor to suspend a potential increase in the gas tax, which is adjusted annually based on inflation and rose last year.
Aside from fuel prices, Southern California lawmakers pointed to homelessness and public safety, among other topics, that they want to see covered during the upcoming regular session.
Addressing his colleagues after he was chosen to continue serving in his leadership role until late June, Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said his focus for the coming legislative session is on continuing “what we’ve done the past 10 years, which is to pursue justice, to reject what is bad and to embrace what is good.”
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, a Democrat whose district touches Los Angeles and Orange counties, said Rendon’s mantra means ensuring that people are safe, have access to good-paying jobs, and are being paid fair wages.
After voters sent her back to the Assembly for a 5th term, she plans to continue to work on housing, homelessness and mental health issues as well as pathways for students to move quickly into professions.
The legislative session officially got underway on Monday, Dec. 5, although the day’s proceedings were largely ceremonial. New members were sworn in, and legislative leaders chosen.
“I never know what to expect from a new legislative session, but you can count on this from Assembly Republicans: We can have an affordable California, and we’ll be working to deliver solutions to allow families in this state to afford their home, gas and utility bills and groceries,” Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said.
Republicans, Gallagher told the Southern California News Group, “are going to be laser-focused on the issues that affect Californians most — the cost of living, public safety and having real solutions to homelessness,” he said.
On homelessness, Gallagher said his caucus wants to focus on legislation that would provide shelter as well as services, such as drug treatment or job training, rather than just building expensive housing. He also suggested taking a look at it from a regional approach.
“What we have right now is really expensive,” he said. “It’s a hodgepodge, and it’s clearly not solving the problem. We’re seeing encampments only grow.”
Public safety is also a priority for Republicans this session, Gallagher said, and several GOP members unveiled their proposals before the session officially got underway Monday, including:
— Kate Sanchez of the 71st district vowed to champion funding for a system that would allow the same prosecutor handles human trafficking cases throughout all its stages. This system, which Republicans said would include up to 11 counties, would ensure victims are not retraumatized by having to reshare details with a bevy of prosecutors, she said.
— Bill Essayli of the 63rd district said he will back legislation restoring a mandatory 10-year minimum for someone who uses a firearm while committing a violent offense.
Still, Gallagher knows for Republicans, work in the legislature is a balance of compromise incorporated with what he sees as the minority party’s responsibility to hold the majority — Democrats — accountable.
“There’s a lot of bipartisan cooperation that happens here in Sacramento, and I see that continuing on some of the issues,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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