Republican Lawmakers Propose Bill to Reduce Gasoline Prices in Maricopa County
PHOENIX — Republican state lawmakers in Arizona are gearing up for the upcoming legislative session with a new bill aimed at alleviating the high cost of gasoline in Maricopa County. The proposed legislation seeks to address the issue by asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand the number of gasoline blends available in the county.
Currently, Maricopa County motorists are required by the EPA to use a specific blend of gasoline during certain times of the year to reduce air emissions. However, production issues have caused the price of this unique blend to skyrocket to over $5 a gallon in recent months.
Under the new bill, Republicans are aiming to give the Senate President and the Speaker of the House the power to request a waiver from the EPA when gas prices are high. Presently, only the governor has the authority to seek a waiver. This change would allow drivers to access cheaper-priced fuel, potentially reducing gas prices by anywhere from 30 cents to a dollar per gallon in Maricopa County alone, according to Senate President Warren Petersen.
However, there is no guarantee that the EPA would consider such a waiver, especially when production issues impact fuel supplies. Although the governor successfully requested a waiver for just two days when gas prices hit $5 a gallon, it is unclear whether she would support a bill that restricts her authority.
The strained relationship between the Republican-led legislature and the Democratic governor adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation. Longtime Republican political consultant Stan Barnes highlighted the discord, stating, The distance between the Republican legislature and the Democratic governor is a Grand Canyon size hole. They don’t like each other personally. They don’t agree on most anything.
As a result, this legislative session has the potential to be particularly fraught with tension and disagreements. Experts anticipate that many Democratic bills may not receive hearings in committees, while Republican bills may face potential vetoes from the governor.
While the specific details of their legislative priorities will be revealed on Thursday, Senate Republicans have already expressed their focus on addressing the pressing issues of water, housing, education, and workforce development.
However, lawmakers must also tackle the challenge of a significant estimated budget deficit of $400 million for the coming year. Given the financial constraints, it is essential that negotiations with the governor on budget matters begin early, especially considering that legislators will face re-election, not the governor.
As the legislative session approaches, all eyes will be on Arizona’s lawmakers as they navigate the intricate dynamics, political differences, and financial challenges to deliver tangible results for their constituents.
