SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher issued the following statement blasting Governor Newsom’s latest attempt to distract from the role California taxes and fees play in our state’s outrageously high gas prices.

Newsom’s proposal (A bill? An executive order? Another strongly worded letter?) would mandate refiners to stockpile inventory as a cushion against “price spikes,” doing nothing to address the sky-high prices Californians struggle with on a daily basis.

“Let me put this in a way Gavin Newsom would understand: If the French Laundry was forced to make a bunch of meals but wasn’t allowed to sell them, their menu prices would go up. Same concept here.

“If Newsom was serious about bringing down prices, he would streamline the approval process for new gas storage projects, stop pushing new regulations that will add even more costs and make it easier to produce energy here in California.

“Democrats have imposed the strictest regulations and highest gas taxes in the country – and that is all reflected in the price at the pump. Newsom’s announcement is just one more half-baked attempt to distract from that simple fact.”

James Gallagher has represented California’s Third Assembly District since 2014. Before joining the Assembly, he served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years. He is honored to serve Butte County – Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, Paradise, Glenn County – Orland, Willows – Placer County – Sutter County – Live Oak, Yuba City, Tehama County – Corning, Red Bluff, Tehama, Yuba County – Marysville, Wheatland.