September 24, 2009

CUPERTINO - The following statement is in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s statements Sept. 24 rejecting Meg Whitman’s proposal to implement a one-year moratorium on California’s AB 32 as a result of California’s record unemployment.  Governor Schwarzenegger dismissed Whitman’s legitimate call for the one-year moratorium, which is provided for under statute.
 
“As Governor, I will work hard to protect our environment, but we cannot afford to hastily implement job-killing policies when 2.2 million Californians can’t find work.

The needs of our environment have to be balanced with the needs of our people and the needs of our economy. So that’s why as Governor I would immediately issue an Executive Order calling for a one-year moratorium on most of AB 32’s rules until we are confident our economy is on strong footing.
 
AB 32’s goals may be well intentioned but it’s wrong to move ahead right now in these challenging times. To be clear, I would not repeal or roll back AB 32. And the moratorium would not change the goals of AB 32.  Instead, I would exercise the option in the law that allows for the implementation deadlines to be pushed back one year when there is a threat of significant economic harm.

Also, we must work hard to understand the true costs and benefits of each proposed rule. This is particularly important because Congress is debating its own version of legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions. A moratorium now on most AB 32 rules would give us an opportunity to coordinate our environmental efforts with Washington. If we do smart planning, we can save jobs and money. We cannot stand by and watch jobs flee to other states with fewer regulations.
 
I applaud the goals of AB 32 and our Governor for forcefully advocating for a clean environment. However, three years ago when the bill was signed, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent with 883,000 Californians unemployed. Today, we have 12.2 percent unemployment, with 2.2 million Californians out of work. Simply, jobs must come first.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
communications@MegWhitman.com