- California Governor Rejects Port Emissions Bill Citing Budget Strain.
- Newsom Blocks SB 34, Warns of $100 Million Annual Spending Burden.
- Governor Cites Fiscal Responsibility in Veto of Port Oversight Bill.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to veto Senate Bill 34, which aimed to set new requirements for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regarding emissions regulations at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, reports gCaptain.
Fiscal Concerns Behind Veto Decision
In his veto message, Newsom made it clear that his choice was driven by financial considerations, not by any disagreement with the bill’s goals. “SB 34 would require an additional $100 million a year, forever, to be spent on CalWORKs grants, without regard to whether the budget can sustain the increase or whether that is the highest priority,” Newsom wrote.
He further explained that the bill’s “unconditional, ongoing cost is not paired with any revenue or cost offset — meaning its mandates would force difficult trade-offs with other important priorities, including health, education, and public safety.”
Bill Aimed to Add Oversight on Port Emission Rules
Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay) introduced SB 34, which passed the California Senate in September with a vote of 35 to 5. This legislation would have mandated that SCAQMD conduct impact assessments on the ports before implementing new emissions reduction requirements. These assessments were designed to examine various factors, including energy demand and supply, cost estimates, funding sources, workforce implications, and environmental impacts.
Additionally, the bill suggested that the ports could ask for timeline extensions and would have prevented SCAQMD from setting limits on cargo throughput or the number of cruise ship passengers. All these provisions were set to expire on January 1, 2031.
Governor Highlights Existing Budget Commitments
Newsom pointed out that his administration’s proposed budget already provides support for low-income and working-class Californians. He mentioned $2.8 billion in cost-of-living increases for CalWORKs for the 2025–26 fiscal year, a $1,000 payment to SSI/SSP recipients totalling around $5.1 billion, and a $2 billion expansion of the Middle Class Tax Refund.
“This veto message is not intended to express any disagreement with the bill’s intent or with the need to help low-income families,” Newsom wrote. “But given the state’s revenue uncertainties, I cannot support a perpetual, unconditional spending mandate that would crowd out critical priorities and reduce flexibility in future years.”
Role of the South Coast Air Quality District
The South Coast Air Quality Management District is responsible for overseeing air quality management across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties within the South Coast Air Basin.
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Source: gCaptain
