By admin 
California Assembly Republicans gathered at the Capitol Monday to call for independent analyses by the Legislative Analyst’s Office of the consumer costs associated with five pending bills they argue would make gas, food and other expenses more costly.
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They also want the nonpartisan agency to examine the effect of recently approved replacement-tire regulations, casting the requests as the beginning of a broader effort to put affordability at the center of the caucus’s agenda.
“At the end of the day, the solution is not more government. The solution is not more regulation and mandates. The solution is not more taxes,” said Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom. “We urge our colleagues to hold off on supporting these bills, and we look forward to working with the LAO on getting this cost information to California families.”
The lawmakers are requesting Citizen Cost Impact Reports on AB 1448, AB 1776, AB 2646, SB 295 and SB 1259. Unlike the fiscal analyses routinely prepared for legislation, which focus largely on costs to state and local governments, the reports are intended to examine the economic effects pending legislation could have on Californians.
Assembly Republicans said the five pending bills would raise gas prices by reducing oil and gasoline supplies, increase consumer costs by imposing additional liability on businesses and drive up food prices.
The request does not guarantee the analyses will be conducted. Under the Legislature’s rules, requests for Citizen Cost Impact Reports must first go through the Assembly Rules Committee, which determines which measures are referred to the LAO.
Hoover said he expects the request to face possible pushback in the Rules Committee. He also said he wasn’t sure how long it would take the LAO to complete the reports if the requests are approved.
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“We really do think it’s critical that whether these bills pass this week or not, that we’re getting this information for the public,” Hoover said.
The caucus’ request also includes the recently approved replacement-tire regulations stemming from AB 844, a law passed in 2003. But Citizen Cost Impact Reports under the Legislature’s rules are intended to analyze proposed rather than past legislation.
Hoover said it would be up to the LAO to determine whether AB 844 and the resulting regulations could be included in the full impact report.
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio, said families in his district have grown tired of being told that another Sacramento mandate will improve their lives when they don’t feel those benefits day to day.
“Before we ask Californians to comply with regulation, we should know what it will actually cost the people who have to live with it,” Gonzalez said. “We have one week left in this legislative year. One week. Let’s stop making life harder and more expensive for the people who call California home.”
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