California Governor Signs 29 Environmental Bills.
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 10.10.05
This development seems to indicate one or both of two things: perhaps there are two out-of-synch universes within the US; or we are witnessing the beginnings of a turning away from "deregulatory" politics. From the San Jose Mercury News of 10 October we learn: "In a burst of green penmanship, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed 29 environmental bills into law Thursday on a wide range of issues. One will require all new cars for sale in California [starting in 2009] to display stickers explaining how many tons of global warming-causing gases they emit". Another of the signed measures will force labeling on personal care products of potentially toxic components, something TreeHugger has reported on previously. Reportedly, the car labeling measure was opposed by most Republican lawmakers and the California Motor Car Dealers Association. Dealers must be fearful that consumer guilt will tip long term market interest, with motocycle and scooter sales replacing sales of large, highly profitable vehicles. TreeHuggers are "born to be wild". But can they come back from the future?
==== UPDATE FOLLOWS =======
Complete listing of personal care products found to contain the "Chemicals of Concern",w hich led to the bill just signed is found here.
Ronald Reagan also had a good environmental record when he was Gov of CA, but when he became president, that changed drastically. Arnold is on the same track, and just doing what it takes to maintain support in CA.
Also, he just vetoed the gay marriage bill. Perhaps this is just a bit of 'wag the dog' distraction?
Carl's analysis seems to support the "parallel universe" scenario. Anyone else?
Doesn't really make up for him vetoing the bill restoring $500 million to teacher's pensions, though....
I agree with Carl. I'm a student in CA, but I'm from Illinois. My feeling is that in Illinois, politicos would be more likely to try, and succeed with, the reverse strategy: protect gay rights and shuff off the environment.
Wow, can't anyone see the good in this? What is with these glass is half empty comments? I did not vote for Arnold, and I definetly did not support the veto of the gay rights bill, but this is postive action taken for the environment.The rest of these issues have nothing to do with the bills just passed. It's about time the environment transcends party lines and I feel my governoris taking a step in the right direction.
Wow, can't anyone see the good in this? What is with these glass is half empty comments? I did not vote for Arnold, and I definetly did not support the veto of the gay rights bill, but this is postive action taken for the environment.The rest of these issues have nothing to do with the bills just passed. It's about time the environment transcends party lines and I feel my governoris taking a step in the right direction.
==== author's response follows =====
Both of the laws mentioned are about labeling. They're not about telling people what kind of car to buy or how that skin softener should be made. They simply enable choice. Very hard to spin such as anti-business or causing job loss. It's possible that other states will attempt the same and Congress or Supreme Court would act to quash such labeling laws as unconstitutional. That would be a reason for cynicism. But it's not on the radar yet.
Would a governor who is really serious about green legislation allow a bill called "A Million Solar Roofs" to die in legislative committee, as the Gropenator has done?
http://www.grist.org/news/daily/2005/09/12/1/
Ahnold is now putting up some green bandaids. How much you want to bet that most of these items get killed/seriously modified in the legislature as well - farther down the line, after the next gubernatorial election is over?
Most of these comments remind of a conversation I had with a Libertarian friend of mine. Oregon had a ballot measure dealing with easing restrictions on marijuana and I found he didn't support it. Why? Because it didn't go all the way and flat-out legalize it.
It seems from these comments that unless combustion engines are outlawed with the possible use of leaded fuel punishable by death, no one will be happy.
"This development seems to indicate one or both of two things..."
Or a 3rd, he's learnt to write his name!! yayaaayy!
As far as I'm aware Arnold's record on the environment is pretty clean. When he first took office he fought hard along side Dianne Feinstein to pass a California CARB Tier 2 Emissions Law which will / does restrict the use of small 2-stroke gas engines (scooters, leaf blowers, etc.).