BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — County officials are responding to Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement that the state will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035.
On Wednesday Newsom ordered state regulators to come up with requirements to meet that goal. California would be the first state with such a rule, though Germany and France are among 15 other countries that have a similar requirement.
"Kern County's General Fund would experience a 23.1% loss in total property tax revenue and a 7.4% loss in revenue from all sources," Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop tweeted out following the announcement. "Fire Fund would experience a 20.4% loss in total property tax revenue and a 13.0% loss in revenue from all sources."
Alsop stated on Twitter that this latest announcement could cost the county $197 million in property tax revenue generated by the oil and gas industry for Kern County, incorporated cities, school districts and special districts. It would also impact revenue that funds law enforcement, fire protection, among other critical general government services, according to Alsop.
$197 MILLION: Property tax revenue generated by the oil and gas industry for Kern County, our incorporated cities, our school districts and special districts in FY2018-19. Revenue that funds law enforcement, fire protection, among other critical general government services.
— Ryan J. Alsop (@KernCAO) September 23, 2020
Senator Shannon Grove responded on Twitter saying, "Forcing everyday Californians to join Gavin’s EV Club will cost families tens of thousands at a time when our state already has the highest poverty rate in the country."
In January, @GavinNewsom bragged about his expensive electric vehicle & rebates from taxpayers.
— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) September 23, 2020
Forcing everyday Californians to join Gavin’s EV Club will cost families tens of thousands at a time when our state already has the highest poverty rate in the country.
Really??? pic.twitter.com/i9pK2KDQV1
Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County) issues the following statement regarding Governor Newsom's Executive Order, which bans fracking and gas powered vehicles:
“Reality does not care about political theater. The reality is that there are real costs and job loss, particularly in the Central Valley, due to Gavin Newsom’s decisions today. The responsible thing to do right now is to ensure we have sound energy policy that will provide an affordable, reliable, and sustainable path forward for everyone. Newsom is increasing costs by pushing more burdensome regulations at a time of great difficulty for many Californians. This is out-of-touch behavior at its finest.”
