Gavin Newsom-Abel Maldonado debate: Proposition 23

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Abel Maldonado was asked to explain why he voted against the state’s greenhouse gas law, AB 32, while in the Legislature but now opposes a measure on the November ballot that would suspend the law.

‘I will be voting no on Prop. 23 because I believe in my heart it sends the wrong message’ to all the new green technology firms in California, he said.

Maldonado said he voted against the bill because it was vaguely drafted.

‘Why would I vote for something when there’s no concrete regulations? It was a shell that was going to be given to [the Air Resources Board], which is accountable to no one,’ he said.

Gavin Newsom said AB 32 has been ‘a godsend for the economy of this state and this nation,’ and criticized Maldonado for opposing the law.

-- Anthony York