Assemblymember Patterson’s AB-34 Bill

Open letter to California Assembly Member Joe Patterson of AD -5

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Your recent introduction of AB 34, a bill that would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to analyze the impacts of any new regulation proposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) before it can be adopted, is dangerous and your reasoning is deceitful. What makes Placer County and surrounding areas great are our blue skies, clear lakes, and booming outdoor recreational industry. 

CARB was established by Governor Ronald Reagan, a Republican, who understood the need to address severe air pollution better than you. Your disingenuous statement that, “We cannot allow unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats to continue to drive up costs for Californians without legislative oversight.” is not only harmful, but undermines the work of highly qualified scientists and engineers at CARB. CARB is an agency with decades of expertise in developing and implementing effective air pollution control measures. CARB's scientists and engineers craft evidence-based regulations that balance environmental protection with economic considerations. By introducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, AB 34 risks delaying critical regulations, hindering innovation, and ultimately compromising public health.

Additionally, any alleged reduction in cost of living expenses would be offset by the increase in air pollution, which would impact Placer County communities and businesses, such as farming, wineries, vineyards, and other agricultural and recreational small businesses harmed by air pollution. 

Will you be paying for children suffering from asthma, lung cancer, or mothers who suffer stillbirths related to increased air pollution if AB 34 went into effect? May I suggest crafting legislation aimed at holding large corporations responsible who blatantly violate air pollution laws. Perhaps those fines could go back to Californians. Keep our air clean, our skies clear, and our lakes blue. 

Signed, 

Daniel Medina

Concerned constituent of AD-5