Newsom’s signature move at the California Capitol: Jam the Legislature
LA TimesGavin Newsom signed the infrastructure streamlining package July 10, accelerating construction timelines on the projects necessary to achieving the state’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals. Standing before television cameras in Sacramento, he said lawmakers had to pass a tax on oil industry profits in order to protect consumers now and “get every dollar, every cent back in the pockets of those who were fleeced.” But the governor’s plan ran into problems from the jump. Kathryn Phillips, the former director of the Sierra Club California who publicly lambasted Newsom’s plan during the negotiations, said the infrastructure fight speaks to the “disdain he has for the environmental community.” The governor often points out that his father was an environmentalist as an example of his deep roots within the movement. “The governor is not interested in jamming the Legislature,” said Angie Wei, Newsom’s former legislative affairs secretary. You know, let’s get moving.” California Newsom and Democratic lawmakers remain divided on infrastructure plan Democratic lawmakers have agreed on a preliminary state budget, but remain at odds with Gov.