Next steps unclear on Newsom’s push to penalize oil companies’ record profits

By SETH SANDRONSKY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

Last December, Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a special legislative session, demanding a price-gouging penalty on major oil companies. “California’s price gouging penalty is simple – either Big Oil reins in the profits and prices, or they’ll pay a penalty,” he said in a statement.

Sen. Nancy Skinner (DBerkeley), chair of the California Senate Budget Committee,

President Biden’s approval of individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency allows Ventura County residents and business owners to apply directly for aid to cover home repairs, rent and temporary lodging, unemployment and child care expenses, and other incidentals related to flooding and storm damage.

In a news release, Rep. Carbajal said he has been urging President Biden and FEMA to remember Ventura County residents and to approve disaster aid to help them. He noted he has seen firsthand the devastation in the three counties he represents, which also include Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

“I encourage anyone affected

Closures lifted for local beaches

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has lifted the water contact closures for Miramar and Fernald Point beaches.

Recent ocean water quality testing conducted by the Department’s Environmental Health Services Division has confirmed the ocean water is by floods and stormwater in our region to go to DisasterAssistance.gov to learn more about filing a claim,” Rep. Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, said. Disaster-related assistance provided by FEMA can include:

• Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.

• Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items.

• Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and do not qualify for state benefits (self-employed).

• Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.

• Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster.

• Advisory assistance for legal veterans’ benefits and social security matters. Small Business Administration loans may also be available to individuals and businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory and supplies.

Individuals living in all three counties can find more information in English and Spanish at carbajal.house.gov/ storm. Claims can be started at disasterassistance.gov. email: kzehnder@newspress.com now safe for recreational use in this area following recent sewage impacts. Santa Barbara County implements a variety of programs to protect public health and enhance environmental quality of county watersheds and beaches. For more information, visit www.sbprojectcleanwater. org.

— Katherine Zehnder

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NEWSROOM ADVERTISING introduced the legislative proposal to impose a pricegouging penalty on big oil firms.

“High profits alone are not an indication that oil companies targeted California,” Sen. Skinner said. “But there’s no denying that California’s gas prices last summer were $2.60 a gallon higher than any other state. There is no legitimate explanation for that. It’s also true that those high prices contributed to the windfall profits.”

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VOL. 167 NO.

SY girls basketball loses to Santa Maria

The Santa Ynez girls basketball team fell to Santa Maria on Wednesday, losing a close game 38-35.

Helina Pecile led the way for Santa Ynez, earning a doubledouble with 16 points and 12 rebounds while also contributing three steals. Kylie LaPointe recorded nine points, six steals and three rebounds while Jadyn Gardner scored six points and added five rebounds.

SY boys basketball defeats Santa Maria

The Santa Ynez boys basketball team crushed Santa Maria on Wednesday, winning by a lopsided score of 56-53.

Landon Lassahn and Jackson Ollenburger were the lead scorers for the Pirates, recording 36 and 23 points, respectively, while Caleb Cassidy recorded his fourth double-double in a row with 19 points and 23 rebounds.

SM edges Rio Mesa

The San Marcos High boys basketball team won a close game against Rio Mesa on Wednesday, hanging on for a 62-58 victory.

San Marcos led by four at the end of the first quarter, expanding its lead to 11 by the end of the first half and maintaining that lead until the end of the third period. In the fourth, full-court pressure from the Spartans led to turnovers and missed shots for San Marcos and allowed Rio Mesa to pull within one with less than a minute left in the game. San Marcos expanded their lead exclusively with free throws.

Micah Jacobi led the San Marcos effort with 14 points while Joe Pasternack scored 13 and Andre Mcullough added ten. “Grateful for the effort our guys gave tonight, doing what needed to be done to get the win,” said Royals coach James Kinzler. “Lots of hustle plays on both ends