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Posted on 08/31/2005 9:12:51 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is prepared to veto his top legislative priority - the "million solar roofs" proposal - after Assembly Democrats last week added labor-friendly amendments. The standoff between the Republican governor and legislative Democrats has left proponents afraid the solar plan will fall victim to politics in the shadow of a divisive November special election.
"Senate Bill 1 abruptly lost its bipartisan support when union-sponsored amendments were added that would drive up the costs of solar installations," said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson. "The governor does not support the recent amendments and considers the bill unacceptable in its current form." SB 1 could provide more than $2 billion toward solar-panel installations in California on a million residential, commercial and industrial buildings by 2019. Schwarzenegger made the bill a cornerstone of his legislative package in an attempt to appeal to environmentalists, and it has been one of the few high-profile proposals in a lackluster legislative session.
Boasting of bipartisan cooperation, Schwarzenegger met last Wednesday with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to discuss his top priorities.
But one day later, Assembly Democrats added amendments to Schwarzenegger's solar plan that would require workers to receive a union-based wage on commercial and industrial solar installations. The bill also requires future solar installers to have an electrician's license and imposes penalties on uncertified electrical workers.
Republicans, including Sen. John Campbell, R-Irvine, an original co-author who had his name removed last week, contend that the change will drive up installation costs as much as 30 percent. They say the change makes solar uneconomical - a program some critics have suggested is already more cost-prohibitive than conservation and other forms of alternative energy.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
The unions and their c'Rat minions want their chunk of the dough.
So what else is new?
Dang, I hate the unholy alliance between Democrats and the mob, opps unions. I meant Democrats and unions.
If you want something good to be royally screwed up, let a politician mess with it.
This is also the democrats showing their allegiance to big oil and power companies. They always oppose everything to help us with our energy dependency on foreign nations.
"The governor does not support the recent amendments and considers the bill unacceptable in its current form." Norm, you know I am no fan of Arnie, but he wuz robbed on this one. Of course, solving problems never was a strong suite for the RATs or the unions.
Gave him a convienent way out.
"the democrats showing their allegiance to big oil and power companies. They always oppose everything to help us with our energy dependency on foreign nations. Worth repeating
I Agree.
So true! Which is why it was a stupid Schwartzenrenegger idea, pushed by Robert Kennedy, Jr. and was mercifully put out of it's misery!!! RIP!!!
Good to hear about a veto!
He waited for the Dems to give him a reason though. I think it was all planned between them. They can look environmental and cater to their unions while he looks environmental for suggesting it and "conservative" for "catering to businesses". Shall we dance?
Arnold's mightiest muscle power is his veto pen.
Glad to see him exercise it.
We be boogian down... Way down!!!
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