It doesn’t come as a surprise to hear that President Trump and Democratic lawmakers are bickering with one another, especially in California—one of the most prominent Democratic strongholds in the country.
Contention with the President began even before he took office, which has plagued the nation’s political atmosphere over the last few years. The focus behind the quarrel this time is environmental regulations, which both parties have distinct opinions on.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has been targeted with a new bill, SB 1, currently in the State Assembly. The Trump administration has reduced the scope of various environmental protections as well as the Endangered Species Act, contradicting existing California law.
To retaliate against this, California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins proposed Bill SB 1. The bill’s main function is to ignore any federal laws that would remove California state laws—essentially re-writing them back into law.
With clear partisan motives aimed at stalling the Trump administration, SB 1 also comes with many harmful effects due to the impulsiveness in how the bill was quickly introduced and passed. These effects include major job cutbacks, less homebuilding projects in the midst of the California housing crisis, and further aggravation of the water crisis.
Republicans have strongly opposed the bill and it’s rash nature, even being backed up by moderate Democrats and progressive organizations that also see the flaws of SB 1. Governor Newsom is expected to support the bill if it passes the Assembly Floor.
Unfortunately, the bill passed the Senate Floor in May by a 28-10 margin. The feud between some Californian Democratic lawmakers and the Trump administration has reached far beyond the people’s needs and interests, as partisan politics continue to intrude further into law.
Photo by The White House via Flickr
