California Black Media

Sen. Bradford: State Must Do More as Senate Passes Gov’s Bill to Prevent Gas Price Spikes

On Oct. 11, during a special legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to prevent sharp increases in gas prices. California Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), who chaired the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, applauded the passage of the bill but emphasized the state must do more.

Published

8 months ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), chair of the Senate Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, and vice chair Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Chico) listen to testimony during a hearing held on Oct. 7 at the State Capitol Annex Swing Space. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

By Tanu Henry, California Black Media

On Oct. 11, during a special legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to prevent sharp increases in gas prices.

California Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), who chaired the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, applauded the passage of the bill but emphasized the state must do more.

“All members of the Senate share concern about the effect rising gas prices have on California families and the ripple effects that may have on the costs of other goods. Protecting consumers has always been our top priority,” said Bradford.

“As policymakers, we must be diligent in our oversight of the regulatory agencies to ensure that this legislation is implemented in a manner that protects the safety of the workers and makes gasoline more affordable for families. There is still much work to be done,” he added.

The bill, ABX2-1, authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Cecilia Aguiar-Curr (D-Winters) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require refiners to store more gas.

“Rising gas prices impact everyone in California and nearly every facet of our lives – from how much we’re paying at the pump to the cost of what we’re buying at the store. Putting mechanisms in place to help prevent costs from spiking and sending family budgets into a tailspin benefits us all, and working together, we’ve been able to do just that,” said Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast).

“Thank you to all of the Senators for the swift, hard work and focus this week, and to our Assembly partners and Governor Newsom for their partnership on this effort,” McGuire continued.

The bill has been sent back to the Assembly for concurrence.

On the same day, Sen. Rosilicie Ocha Bogh (R-Yucaipa) sent a letter to McGuire urging the Legislature’s Democratic leadership to reconsider a bill she introduced to suspend the state’s excise gas tax after that legislation was killed.

“Our families across the state are facing unprecedented financial strain. From groceries to utilities, the cost of living continues to soar,” said Ochoa Bogh. “I’m deeply disappointed in the legislature’s decision to continue ignoring real solutions for lowering gas prices. It is our legislative duty to support struggling families.”

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Oakland Post: Week of June 18 – 24, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 18 – 24, 2025

Published

4 days ago

June 20, 2025

Oakland Post

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Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌

Air Quality Board Rejects Two Rules Written to Ban Gas Water Heaters and Furnaces

The proposal would have affected 17 million residents in Southern California, requiring businesses, homeowners, and renters to convert to electric units. “We’ve gone through six months, and we’ve made a decision today,” said SCAQMD board member Carlos Rodriguez. “It’s time to move forward with what’s next on our policy agenda.”

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

Shutterstock.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌
California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Two proposed rules to eliminate the usage of gas water heaters and furnaces by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in Southern California were rejected by the Governing Board on June 6.

Energy policy analysts say the board’s decision has broader implications for the state.

With a 7-5 vote, the board decided not to amend Rules 1111 and 1121 at the meeting held in Diamond Bar in L.A. County.

The proposal would have affected 17 million residents in Southern California, requiring businesses, homeowners, and renters to convert to electric units.

“We’ve gone through six months, and we’ve made a decision today,” said SCAQMD board member Carlos Rodriguez. “It’s time to move forward with what’s next on our policy agenda.”

The AQMD governing board is a 13-member body responsible for setting air quality policies and regulations within the South Coast Air Basin, which covers areas in four counties: Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and parts of Los Angeles County.

The board is made up of representatives from various elected offices within the region, along with members who are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and Senate Rules Committee.

Holly J. Mitchell, who serves as a County Supervisor for the Second District of Los Angeles County, is a SCAQMD board member. She supported the amendments, but respected the board’s final decision, stating it was a “compromise.”

“In my policymaking experience, if you can come up with amended language that everyone finds some fault with, you’ve probably threaded the needle as best as you can,” Mitchell said before the vote. “What I am not okay with is serving on AQMD is making no decision. Why be here? We have a responsibility to do all that we can to get us on a path to cleaner air.”

The rules proposed by AQMD, Rule 1111 and Rule 1121, aim to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from natural gas-fired furnaces and water heaters.

Rule 1111 and Rule 1121 were designed to control air pollution, particularly emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Two days before the Governing Board’s vote, gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa asked SCAQMD to reject the two rules.

Villaraigosa expressed his concerns during a Zoom call with the Cost of Living Council, a Southern California organization that also opposes the rules. Villaraigosa said the regulations are difficult to understand.

“Let me be clear, I’ve been a big supporter of AQMD over the decades. I have been a believer and a fighter on the issue of climate change my entire life,” Villaraigosa said. “But there is no question that what is going on now just doesn’t make sense. We are engaging in regulations that are put on the backs of working families, small businesses, and the middle class, and we don’t have the grid for all this.”

Rules 1111 and 1121 would also establish manufacturer requirements for the sale of space and water heating units that meet low-NOx and zero-NOx emission standards that change over time, according to SCAQMD.

The requirements also include a mitigation fee for NOx-emitting units, with an option to pay a higher mitigation fee if manufacturers sell more low-NOx water heating and space units.

Proponents of the proposed rules say the fees are designed to incentivize actions that reduce emissions.

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Congress Says Yes to Rep. Simon’s Disability Hiring and Small Biz Support Bill

“As the first congenitally blind person to serve in Congress, I am incredibly honored to lead and excited to celebrate the House passage of the ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act,’” said Simon.

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The House of Representatives unanimously passed the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act” on June 3, marking a major win for U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and co-sponsor Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) in their bipartisan effort to promote inclusive hiring and boost small business accessibility.

The legislation establishes a federal partnership between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Council on Disability to help small businesses across the U.S. hire more individuals with disabilities and provide resources for disabled entrepreneurs.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of cities, making them accessible for all will maximize local economic activity and broaden the job market to everyone who is seeking to contribute to their communities,” she continued. “Investments in business and talent in our communities shouldn’t be limited to just those who are not disabled. Full stop, period.”

Since taking office in January 2025, Simon has introduced six bills. The House has approved two of them: this measure and the “Assisting Small Businesses, Not Fraudsters Act.”

Simon, a lifelong disability rights advocate and former BART board member, has focused her career on improving access, from public transit to the job market.