I read an article recently that explained why our state and nation are in debt and businesses are failing and people are losing jobs.  It did so in plain, simple, non partisan-gasp- English.  Essentially, the people we have elected into office want us to be. They set the budget, they pass the laws that create regulations, these things don’t just magically appear.  We need to elect people that don’t think this is the way to operate. Here is an example of one, do you know any others?  

This article was excerpted from Senator Mimi Walters’ newsletter. Senator Walters is running for Treasurer in November and has earned my vote. Please consider giving her yours… My Best, Mary

www.senate.ca.gov/walters

www.mimiwalters.com

“Stop the Madness”

“California’s jobless rate is the third highest in the nation. Our tax burden is the highest in the nation. Our permitting process is a nightmare. Lawsuits are killing California jobs.

Just when you would think our policy-makers have done enough to drive the state’s economy to the worst in the nation, they’re using the SB 375 implementation to go even further. You may recall that SB 375 was designed to merge regional planning with greenhouse gas (GhG) reduction goals. Even though some of us opposed the bill, we hoped the process would be fair and that the goals of economic growth and emission reduction would be pursued equally. But, the proposed emission reduction target levels issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) demonstrate, again, that elitists have taken over the policy–making and are developing massive new regulatory programs to serve their interests.

What are the SB 375 emission reduction targets for Southern California? The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which is the metropolitan planning organization representing six counties, 190 cities and more than 19 million residents, recommended a realistic target range of 6–8% for 2020 and 3–6% for 2035. Somehow CARB staff disregarded this recommendation and instead proposed completely unrealistic targets that were not even discussed or modeled. The CARB staff recommended raising the levels to 8% for 2020 and 13% for 2035. The problem with SCAG and CARB setting unachievable levels is that extraordinary measures will have to be taken to even come close to achieving these goals.

• Count on reduced employment in Southern California. That’s not a typo – the SCAG scenario assumes a loss of jobs and continuing recession to reduce emissions.
• Dedicate more tax dollars to mass transit. With state and federal governments already running huge deficits, we know whose wallet and purse SCAG and CARB will be grabbing to pay for these new projects. The new funding needs will be in addition to the $40 billion the public will be shelling–out to pay for high speed rail.
• Force people from their cars to biking and walking.

• Gas price increases up to $9.07 a gallon. The analysis indicated that drivers will finally give up their cars if the price of fuel is raised high enough.
• Congestion fees for driving in urban areas.
• Mandatory parking fees to reduce traffic in cities.

Get involved. Call the CARB members. Demand a balanced approach that encourages job creation. Make these decision–makers explain the rationale and the implications of their decision. Stop the madness that is ruining this state.”

Mary Fleet Manager Wall CARB, DeWitt, economic recovery, fleet, Mimi Walters

In the diesel fuel business, it is all about pennies.  Fifteen, twenty years ago a price increase of a penny was a big jump and there were sequences of days when fuel prices did not change.  So, when I saw the video on the link below about the National budget it really struck a chord.  I get pennies and often spend time on the far right side of the decimal but when you get up in the millions, billions and trillions frankly it is harder for me to conceptualize.  I thought this would be a great way for my kids and their friends, not to mention my coworkers, to understand the numbers we are hearing about in the news.

What I did not expect is one of the responses I got back from a friend of mine.  She requested that I not send her any more political emails. Now, I admit, I can get on my dad’s soap box and rant a bit with the occasional unsolicited opinion about the current world order.  What a scary realization- I did not even notice a political bend to the video.  If you click on the link it does show the President pledging to reduce the National budget by $100,000,000. My first response was applause and frankly, so was my last response.  (Again I like pennies, so saving even a $0.0025 is good by me!)  What my friend, who tends to lean a little more left then I do, saw in the first 15 seconds was an attack on the President and that framed her opinion of the video, not the remaining minute, twenty three seconds.

I have watched it a number of times and if it were done 3 years ago and the President at that time was featured in the first 15 seconds, I realize that I would have considered it political too.  This would have been compounded by the fact that my leftward leaning brother-in-law is the one who shared it with me!  It really is just a great learning tool.  I am a huge fan of learning, but realize my genetic skepticism would have made me miss this opportunity too.  What a great lesson for me about education.   Information is good, regardless of who shares it with you.  I still applaud budget cuts wherever we can get them, especially since we just sent in our latest donation to the state and federal government…. don’t even get me started….

 http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/

My Best, Mary

Mary Fleet Manager Wall DeWitt, diesel, economic recovery, fleet, fuel price increases, petroleum, policy

Hi All

I had an opportunity to hear Meg Whitman speak yesterday.  I was impressed.  Yes, I know, she does not have the greatest voting record, but when Fortune 500 companies are hiring their next CEO I would hazard a guess that they don’t limit their search to people who buy their product.  We need someone to step up and treat our state like a business.  A business with a charitable side, but a business. One that is failing and needs to be turned around.

If you have an opportunity to hear Meg, I highly encourage you to go.  She started on time, spoke briefly and then took questions. She did not ask for money.  (Did I mention she started on time….) You can submit your email on her webpage and they will update you when she is in your area.

At a minimum, follow this link, http://www.megwhitman.com/policy_magazine_distribution.php, and read her plan.  48 pages, it can be read over a cup of coffee or two, on the treadmill, while sitting in traffic… ok skip the last one, but read it.  Hiring, I mean electing, people so deeply entrenched, personally- a la the Governator- or professionally in politics is not working.  Does it scare anyone that we may regurgitate Jerry Brown. I am horrified. 

Then be sure to vote, for anyone you want but vote. Encourage friends, family, staff, and  complete strangers to vote. This is the link to apply to vote by mail http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm  Print it, hand it out, vote!

 We don’t want to leave our children with our debts. We have to try something new.

 My Best- Mary

Mary Fleet Manager Wall DeWitt, diesel, Governor, Los Angeles, Meg Whitman

Well it is time for snowballs in Southern California! During yesterdays meeting, the CARB Board agreed to consider options on the New Diesel Truck Rules. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter.  While it feels like just one letter may not make the difference, a whole lot of ones certainly do! See CIOMA’s Hot of the presses release.

Mary Fleet Manager Wall California, CARB, diesel, Diesel Truck

The recent uproar about the validity of the study on global warming, coincides with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) finally being called out by one of their own.  While I am a big advocate for getting at least ONE business representative on the CARB Board, I am thankful that Board member Dr. John G. Tellez took a stand.  Members of the CARB Board and Staff were aware of problems with the study that was the main support for the truck regulation’s implementation, but DID NOT inform Dr. Tellez and other Board members before they voted on the final rule.  He is requesting that the regulation be postponed, so are we and if you have a fleet of vehicles, you should too.

My Best, Mary

December 7, 2009

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor, State of California

State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

Via Fax: 916.558.3160

Subject: Need to Postpone On-Road Diesel Truck Regulation

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

I am writing on behalf of my company and the 1,300 businesses we serve in Southern California to request that you postpone the On-Road Diesel Truck Regulation.  Two California Air Resource Board members have asked that the Truck Rule be set aside due to ethical and legal implications surrounding the development of that report and the qualifications of a key individual who authored the report. We concur.

This regulation has the potential to put many small and medium-sized businesses out of operation due to its expense. We are a financially stable, 64 year old company, with deep enough roots to survive the current economy, but even we are considering shutting down certain segments of our business due to the onerous cost of the this regulation.  Unfortunately, many of my customers are in even worse positions.  The loss of these businesses will have a dramatic domino effect on the economy of Southern California.  The Board must address the affordability of this regulation.

Delay of the regulation will not adversely affect air quality as the economic downturn has already significantly reduced diesel emissions through reduced trucking and construction in the state. This was verified by CARB staff recently at a public workshop where, with no action, the state will meet 2011 SIP commitments for NOX and PM2.5.

Strong management of California’s well being REQUIRES that you delay this rule.  Ethics and morality demand that you look at CARB, its Board and what their lack of honesty will continue to cost this state and the people trying to live here.

Mary D. Wilson

President and Third Generation Petroleum Marketer

Mary Fleet Manager Wall CARB, Diesel Regulation, Gevernor Schwarzenegger