California follows Hawaii's lead on Fuel Price Caps(Democrats)

[IChing]

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6 — A California lawmaker introduced a bill in the state legislature Tuesday that would allow regulators to slap price controls on gasoline if passed and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill by Democratic state Sen. Joseph Dunn proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that would authorize California's public utilities commission to order wholesale price caps on gasoline as a last resort to regulate the state's gasoline market.
''Price caps are not a solution to a dysfunctional market. However, they are a damage control measure until solutions are developed,'' Dunn said in a statement.

Dunn's bill comes after Hawaii last week placed caps on the price of wholesale gasoline and amid disruption to the U.S. oil industry by Hurricane Katrina that has pushed retail gasoline prices higher.

Schwarzenegger's office was not immediately available to comment on Dunn's bill. >>>>>snip
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/reuters09-06-160527.asp?t=renew&vts=9620051626

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. I love Joe Dunn..I worked to get him elected to the assembly

I hope he one day runs for governor..this guy is a pro-consumer true progressive.

[IChing]

2. We might have enough votes but Arrrrnold ????? I don't know

But the idea is getting good press.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. The Feds deregulate and the States re-regulate.

"John Roberts, come on down!"

[raysr]

4. Repukes are always

for deregulation-this is the result-uncontrolled GREED!

[Betsy Ross]

5. What good is a cap if

the refineries have to "shut down for maintenance?" You know that will happen, intentional creation of fuel shortages.

Sarcasm coming: Can't wait for all those Amerikans not concerned about the victims of Katrina to start crying about their heating bills when winter comes. And then there are all the people that will freeze to death.

The effects of Katrina will continue to spread across the country for years, sometimes in subtle ways other times as slam-in-your-face price hikes.

[Sgent]

6. Price Caps

create shortages... always, in every market.

I don't neccissarily know what the solution is, but price caps isn't it.

[Barkley]

7. The 'solution' is mandatory jail time for price gouging and

an aggressive political leadership willing and able to enforce the laws against these criminals.

I heard on the Johnny Windell show Monday, that none of CA's gasoline comes from the Gulf. So why are our prices rising 17 cents?