Governor, please hold off on warming bill

Gov. Schwarzenegger:

We realize that you want to hold on to one of the big accomplishments of your tenure — passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, often referred to as Assembly Bill 32.

We don't want AB 32 overturned or gutted, either. After all, we agree with the goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

But we do think that you should consider delaying implementation of parts of the law because of the dire economy and the recent conclusion by the Legislative Analyst Office that AB 32 mandates could result in more job losses.

Unlike some of the those trying to get AB 32 killed, the LAO didn't predict the end of the economy as we know it.

Rather, it questioned the Air Resources Board's prediction that the act would create 120,000 jobs by 2020. Specifically, it said, "On balance, we believe that the aggregate net jobs impact in the near term is likely to be negative."

Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, requested the LAO's comments on job impact. While he might personally prefer that AB 32 go away, he's reaching for a compromise that slows it down.

Governor, we cannot afford more job losses, especially here in Stanislaus County, where the unemployment rate is pushing 19 percent.

Your first response to the LAO letter was something to the effect of "heck no." We urge you to please reconsider.