The Republican Senate budget leader responded to claims made by Gov. Jay Inslee and high-ranking Democratic state lawmakers that they will propose legislation to rein in ‘outrageous’ profits by oil and gas companies
VANCOUVER – The governor and Democratic lawmakers should be stepping forward and taking credit for Washington’s nation-leading gas prices instead of denying responsibility, says Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver.
Wilson, budget leader for Senate Republicans, responded to claims made today by Gov. Jay Inslee and high-ranking Democratic state lawmakers that they will propose legislation to rein in “outrageous” profits by oil and gas companies. She offered this statement:
“It’s really something to hear the governor talk about holding anyone accountable when his own administration’s mismanagement just put our state’s taxpayers on the hook for a $100 million fine. And the Democrats sure have trouble keeping their story straight – last month one of my fellow senators was admitting how ‘incredibly expensive’ it is to produce gasoline. Today he was singing a different tune. The fact is, everything the private sector does gets more expensive when government gets involved. No one questions that land-use restrictions and other government regulations drive up the cost of housing. Why would gasoline be any different?
“As I’ve said before, anyone with the slightest grasp of economics had to know that forcing companies to buy ‘carbon allowances’ from the state would eventually hit consumers. It’s not a surprise. The truth is, the governor and my Democratic colleagues were simply less than transparent in 2021 about the obvious consequences of their carbon-pricing scheme. They knew full well how this would raise the cost of gas, which is part of the agenda to push people away from internal-combustion engines and into either electric vehicles or public transit. Now it seems they don’t want to be accountable for their intentions and their actions. Instead, they complain about oil-company profits, even though their ‘cap and gouge’ policy has made it possible for the state to do its own profiteering – like $850 million from just two auctions of carbon allowances.
“Republicans recognize the financial hardships families are facing, between fuel and other energy costs, the cost of housing, and the new payroll tax. We will continue working to control and lower the cost of living in our state. In the meantime, Governor Inslee and the Democratic majority need to own what they’ve done to increase gas prices, even if it makes them unpopular.”
Also read:
- WATCH: Sen. Braun urges Ferguson to get past fearmongering on ‘big beautiful bill’
Sen. John Braun criticized Gov. Ferguson’s opposition to the Big Beautiful Bill, calling it partisan fearmongering and defending the bill’s work requirements and spending controls. - Veteran educator Lorri Sibley announces campaign for Battle Ground School Board
Veteran educator Lorri Sibley has launched a campaign for the Battle Ground School Board after 32 years teaching in the district and 36 years as a Yacolt resident. - Clark County Fire District 3 hiring firefighters and paramedicsClark County Fire District 3 is accepting applications for firefighter and paramedic positions through August 15, with hiring planned by October.
- Red Cross issues advice to stay safe during extreme heatThe Red Cross urges Clark County residents to stay cool, hydrated and connected as extreme heat hits the region, with tips to prevent serious illness.
- Vancouver’s Rental Registration Program to improve quality, safety of rental housingVancouver will require all long-term rental units to register annually starting January 2026, aiming to improve rental safety and housing data.
- Opinion: Taxes and assessed valuesDick Rylander explains how property tax proposals are calculated and urges Clark County residents to understand assessed values before voting on new taxes.
- Junior Market’s entrepreneur of the year recognized by Greater Vancouver Chamber and OnPoint Community Credit UnionWallace Griffin, 11, earned top honors at the Junior Market for his Lemonade Lab, taking home awards and recognition for creativity, profits, and community giving.
I stand with Gov Inslee on this one. REIGN IN THE GROTESQUE BIG OIL PROFITS NOW!
As Lynda stated… anyone with the slightest grasp of economics had to know that forcing companies to buy ‘carbon allowances’ from the state would eventually hit consumers.
I would suggest you invest some time learning how “big oil” companies operate. You may find yourself enlightened to find out where the profit $$ go into exploration and investments to ensure America continues to remain somewhat independent of foreign oil that, in the past, has held US hostage to restricted supply.
You all need to educate yourselves about fossil fuels and climate change. Maybe it hasn’t gotten hot enough or rained too much or too little for you to see it yet.
Per CNBC the five big oil companies flush with cash, the energe giants have used their bumper earnings to reward shareholders with higher dividends and share buy backs.
So, you know, from day one, actually, from the Biden campaign, when he pledged to end fossil fuels, this radical climate activism has been an incredibly destructive force. I mean, right now, or this past week, I should say, Biden is over there begging Saudi Arabia for oil.
You know, there’s nothing wrong with American oil and gas. In fact, America has the cleanest oil and the cleanest gas. And I might add, America also has the cleanest air and the cleanest water of any of the large industrial countries, but they have attacked this fossil fuel. July 17, 2022 Larry Kudlow
Seems almost pointless to wave the climate change flag when other industrialized nations are not making an effort. America can continue this “effort” for the next millennia and not affect a trackable change. Just a short time ago, we all had low prices at the pump and what happened? A new administration came in and now we all know how much “improvement” that has had on our wallets.