‘Blatantly Undemocratic’: Gavin Newsom Commands Special Session To Address Gas Prices Ahead of the Election

However, some lawmakers are rejecting the call as they are already busy with their own political campaigns as the November election draws closer.

“I, Gavin Newsom, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with Section 3(b) of Article IV of the California Consitution, hereby convene the Legislature of the State of California to assemble in extraordinary session in Sacramento,” the declaration said.

“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special session of the Legislature to address the pernicious problem of gasoline price spikes at the pump — and save Californians hundreds of millions of dollars annually,” said the governor’s office statement.

“Price spikes on consumers are profit spikes for oil companies, and they’re overwhelmingly caused by refiners not backfilling supplies when they go down for maintenance,” said the statement.

Last month the governor put forward a proposal that would expand the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) authority to force producers to maintain a minimum fuel reserve so supply shortages wouldn’t lead to as many price spikes.

“If this proposal had been in effect last year, Californians could have saved hundreds of millions — if not billions — of dollars at the pump as evidenced by this Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO) analysis,” said the August 31 statement.

“It should be common sense for gas refineries to plan ahead and backfill supplies when they go down for maintenance to avoid price spikes. But these price spikes are actually profit spikes for Big Oil, and they’re using the same old scare tactics to maintain the status quo,” Newsom said. “Calling the session now allows the Legislature to begin that work immediately so that the state can resolve this important matter to establish the necessary rules to prevent price spikes next year and beyond.”

“The Senate always had the votes and was ready to get these important measures across the finish line this legislative year,” McGuire said. “We won’t be convening a special session this fall, but we look forward to continuing conversations with the Governor and Speaker about this critical issue in the days and weeks to come.”

The governor can lay out some scope of what can be discussed, but ultimately the lawmakers, even if complying with the declaration, would still have control of the session.

“I believe when the governor issues a proclamation, it’s our constitutional obligation to get that work done,” Rivas said.

“There is a difference of opinion of bringing the Legislature in for the session or not. That’s fine. But I firmly believe that we had the opportunity to be able to get the votes and provide Californians with the relief they need at the gas pump and on their utility bills,” said McGuire.

“It’s blatantly undemocratic for Newsom to finally show up to his day job and demand the Legislature instantly cave to his demands, all so that he can feel relevant again and get a splashy headline,” said Jones.