Newsom should sign Senate Bill 58, veto Assembly Bill 316
The California Legislature is quickly moving on a number of pieces of Legislation. Here, we highlight two bills which are now sitting on the governor’s desk awaiting action.
Veto Assembly Bill 316
Assembly Bill 316, introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Davis, is an attempt by unions to derail autonomous vehicle technology.
Across the country, states are giving the green light to autonomous trucking which, over time, promises to provide safe, lower cost transportation of goods at a time when the trucking industry is struggling to attract and retain drivers.
Counter to this, AB 316 would require autonomous trucks to include a human driver, which defeats the purpose of an autonomous truck.
“California’s economy has swelled in recent decades based largely on the success of its robust technology sector,” business groups have argued in opposition. “We believe California policymakers should focus on promoting and encouraging continued growth in this sector — rather than crafting harsh legislative barriers to future growth.”
We agree.
Fortunately, Gov. Gavin Newsom has expressed skepticism of AB 316. His administration has sent a letter to Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry saying, “AB 316 takes an inflexible approach to regulating a growing industry borne out of California’s innovation economy.”
Newsom is correct. It is unfortunate that the vast majority of members of the Legislature, both Democrat and Republican, proved themselves to be Luddites and voted for the bill. Only Assemblymembers Diane Dixon, Bill Essayli, Vince Fong and Josh Hoover, along with Sens. Brian Dahle and Steve Glazer, voted against it. Kudos to them.
Newsom should put the Legislature in check and veto the bill.
Sign Senate Bill 58
As long as someone isn’t harming others, this editorial board believes the government has no business policing the private decisions of individuals.
In this spirit, this editorial board has long supported the efforts of Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, to decriminalize psychedelic substances.
Senate Bill 58 will decriminalize the psychoactive chemicals found in magic mushrooms, mescaline-containing cacti and ayahuasca.
These are non-addictive substances which people use for a variety of reasons, from spiritual to therapeutic to recreational. As long as people using these substances are doing so in a manner that doesn’t criminally infringe on others, why they do so is their business and doesn’t require the meddling of police and the courts. Let individuals, friends, families, social networks and churches sort that out.
SB 58 received bipartisan support and opposition. Southern California Republican Assemblymembers Bill Essayli and Marie Waldron deserve credit for voting in favor of the bill. Southern California Democratic Sens. Catherine Blakespear, Dave Min, Anthony Portantino and Tom Umberg voted to defend the failed War on Drugs, as did Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Jacqui Irwin and Al Muratsuchi.
Gov. Gavin Newsom should sign SB 58 to continue the state’s progress in dismantling the racist, anti-liberty War on Drugs.