California Senate Rejects Newsom’s Gas Price Relief Proposal
- Governor Gavin Newsom's proposals to address gas prices were not passed by lawmakers.
- The California Senate will not convene for a special session, despite the Assembly's willingness to do so.
- The ongoing high gas prices in California highlight the need for effective legislative action.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special legislative session to address rising gas prices after his proposals to help residents at the pump were not passed. His plan aimed to require oil refineries to store more gasoline, which he argued would mitigate price spikes. However, some lawmakers and oil industry officials expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of this measure. Despite the Democratic supermajority in both the Assembly and Senate, the Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire announced that the Senate would not convene for the special session, emphasizing ongoing work on a broader Clean Energy Package. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas expressed support for the special session, highlighting the need for public involvement in the legislative process and a commitment to lowering living costs for Californians. The average gas price in California stands at $4.651 per gallon, significantly higher than the national average of $3.325, underscoring the urgency of the situation.