header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


California Governor Jerry Brown

File photo

By Nick Cahill, Courthouse News

SACRAMENTO (CN) – In a move that could freeze California Gov. Jerry Brown’s hopes for extending the state’s cap-and-trade program, state Republicans said Thursday they are uniformly against the recently proposed deal.

The plan for extending the sunsetting emissions tax, a focal point of California’s climate-change policy, is scheduled for a floor vote on Monday and requires a two-thirds supermajority.

If Republican lawmakers collectively vote against the plan, Brown will need to secure support from every Democratic member for Assembly Bill 398 to pass. That would require smoothing over a coalition of moderate Democrats from agricultural districts that have been hesitant to pass new taxes.

Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes claims Brown and Democratic leaders have shut out Republicans from the bargaining table and that a cap-and-trade agreement “remains elusive.”

“There are no Assembly Republican votes for the cap-and-trade deal in its current form. We will not support a deal that doesn’t cut taxes, roll back regulations and protect ordinary Californians,” Mayes said in a statement.

A collection of Republican state senators joined Mayes and announced their opposition to the current cap-and-trade deal in a letter sent to Brown.

With the cap-and-trade extension announced Monday night, Brown stumped for the plan and testified Thursday at a Senate committee.

The fourth-term governor, in a rare committee appearance, told lawmakers that the climate-change plan is the “most important vote of your life.” He warned that if the extension doesn’t pass, state regulators will be forced to enforce the state’s stringent air quality laws on their own and without lawmakers’ input.

“This isn’t for me. I’m going to be dead,” the 79-year-old governor testified. “It’s for you. And it’s damn real.”

Brown’s plan has been met with skepticism from not only Republicans but some environmentalists as well. They claim the proposal gives utility companies and the oil and gas industry handouts and allows them to continue emitting greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s a California climate policy that’s been written by big oil,” said Amy Vanderwarker, co-director of the California Environmental Justice Alliance. “At a time when all eyes are on California, we have to stand strong and say this is not something we can support.”

Vanderwarker testified in opposition to AB 398 on Thursday.

“It does not get us to the real, rapid emissions reductions that our planet and our communities desperately need,” she said.

Critics take issue with the heavy tax breaks for businesses included in the new plan, such as sales tax exemptions for certain equipment purchases. The plan also ends a contentious fire-prevention tax that conservatives have fought since it was enacted.

Extending the cap-and-trade program would be a political victory for Brown in his final term.

The current program requires businesses to obtain permits for carbon emissions and allows them to purchase additional use permits if needed. Revenue generated from the permits funds major state infrastructure projects, including the high-speed rail project.

Brown crafted the plan with the Democratic leaders of both the state Senate and the Assembly after months of negotiations. He wants two-thirds support, the threshold for passing new taxes, in order to protect against future legal challenges.

The extension has quickly gained the support of some of the state’s most influential interest groups.

“AB 398 will provide the least costly path to achieving our climate goals by extending cap and trade to 2030,” the California Chamber of Commerce said in a support letter. “The measure will help California maintain a healthy economy that produces well-paid, middle-class jobs.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council says it will stand by the cap-and-trade extension despite concessions to the oil and energy industries.

“The concessions to industry are bitter pills, but on balance the package ensures our emissions limits are enforceable against polluters and secures critical gains to improve air quality for millions of Californians,” the council’s legal director Alex Jackson said in a statement.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    SCV NewsBreak
    LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
    The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
    California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
    Keep Up With Our Facebook

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
    Bouquet Reservoir
    The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
    California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
    April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
    March 27 Ocean Water Warning
    As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
    SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
    Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
    April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
    Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
    SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
    California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
    Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
    Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
    March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
    Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
    April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
    The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
    California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
    State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
    1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
    C.A. Mentry
    The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
    March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
    Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
    Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
    College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
    Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
    Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
    May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
    The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
    Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
    California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
    CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
    Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
    April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
    Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
    April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
    The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
    Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
    Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
    Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
    SCVNews.com