Published
2 years agoon
Why did three Central Valley assemblymen not vote on a procedural motion to allow debate to suspend the gas tax?
David Taub
Politics 101
Politics 101 asked them and the answers varied.
The vote on Monday — 40-18 — failed along party lines. Voting yes from the Central Valley delegation: Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals; Jim Patterson, R-Fresno; and Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield.
Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, was the only local Democrat to vote against.
Two other Democrats, Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield and Adam Gray, D-Merced, did not cast votes.
Related Story: Democrats Kill GOP Effort to Suspend California Gas Tax
Gray said he supports “putting more money in people’s pockets” but did not vote. In fact, it did not appear he voted at all during the two-hour session Monday.
“The political theater we saw … was a stunt without substance. I’m not interested in empty promises. What I am interested in is how to get the most Californians the most relief,” Gray said.
Salas’ office said the following: “Assemblymember Salas was not on the Floor when the vote occurred, his record is very clean when he was the only Assembly Democrat who voted no on the gas tax.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to issue government rebates to residents to offset soaring gas and diesel prices.
The state GOP is making this an issue. The party blasted the assemblymen on Twitter. Both Gray and Salas are running for Congress in the 13th and 22nd districts respectively.
Gas is the highest it’s ever been in California. Central Valley residents and all Californians could have saved .51¢ per gallon on gas, but @rudysalasjr failed to support a Gas Tax Holiday. #CADeservesBetter pic.twitter.com/eE0oqW8MZv
— CAGOP (@CAGOP) March 15, 2022
Apparently @AdamGrayCA doesn’t think Californians should be able to keep more of their own money during these difficult times of rising inflation and skyrocketing gas prices #CADeservesBetter pic.twitter.com/irrBq4GMVj
— CAGOP (@CAGOP) March 15, 2022
Heath Flora, R-Ripon, was not present. He had an excused absence. His office said he had meetings that day with agricultural leaders outside of Sacramento.
Clovis City Hall is now COVID-free. COVID emergency order-free that is.
With a 4-0 vote Monday night, the city council voted to scrap the remaining eight orders in place as well as the overall emergency order in place since March 2020.
Debate was short and no members of the public spoke. Councilwoman Lynne Ashbeck, the most outspoken critic in the past of completely re-opening the city, was not present.
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email