Politics
Gavin Newsom Begs Regulators To Keep Refineries In Biz After California Dems Ran Industry Out Of Town
This article was written by Nick Pope for the Daily Caller News Foundation (April 23, 2025) Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking a state regulator to try to keep oil refineries in business in the state after Democrats spent years targeting the industry with aggressive regulation. Newsom wrote to California Energy Commission (CEC) Vice Chair Siva Gunda on Monday to urge that Gunda and the CEC “redouble” their efforts to keep fuel refiners in the state on the heels of Valero’s announcement that it will be taking at least one of its California refineries offline by April 2026. In the letter, Newsom attempts to characterize the state’s dwindling refining presence as part of a wider national trend, but analysts have warned for years that California’s hostile regulatory environment is what is truly driving the fossil fuel industry’s retreat from the state. “I write to direct you to redouble the State’s efforts to work closely with refiners on short- and long-term planning, including through high-level, immediate engagement, to help ensure that Californians continue to have access to a safe, affordable and reliable supply of transportation fuels, and that refiners continue to see the value in serving the California market, even as demand for fossil fuels continues its gradual decline over the coming decades,” the letter states. “Further, I am directing you, as my Administration’s lead representative on this issue, to reinforce the State’s openness to a collaborative relationship and our firm belief that Californians can be protected from price spikes and refiners can profitably operate in California — a market where demand for gasoline will still exist for years to come.” Valero announced on April 16 that it intends “to idle, restructure, or cease refining operations at Valero’s Benicia Refinery by the end of April 2026.” Patrick De Haan, a gasoline analyst, noted in an April 16 post to X that Valero’s announcement will leave only seven refineries in California by April 2026. For comparison, the state had 20 refineries as of 2000, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. California’s “cap-and-trade” program, as well as its tax environment and push to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars in the state by 2035, are frequently cited as examples of hostile regulation driving refineries out of the state. Meanwhile, Newsom and other California Democrats like Attorney General Rob Bonta have ripped the fossil fuel industry for years, often characterizing it as a malignant force in society or a collusive industry committed to misleading consumers. (MORE NEWS: Mainstream Media Finally Wakes Up To Massive Geological Threat To US) A spokesman for Newsom said that “the Governor’s letter speaks for itself.” California has the highest average per-gallon price of gas at the pump of any state in the country, according to AAA gas price data. Meanwhile, California regulators have proposed to more deeply involve the state in the management of refineries, including the prospect of state-owned refineries. Andy Walz, president of Chevron Americas products, described California as a “tough place to do business” in August 2024 after his company decided to move its headquarters out of the state earlier that year. Walz specifically identified California’s “cap-and-trade” rules and the gas-powered car ban as specific headwinds that helped lead Chevron to its decision to move its center of gravity elsewhere. ‘No Environmental Benefit’ “For well over two decades now, politicians like Governor Newsom have hammered California’s conventional energy producers, both large and small, with excessive taxes, regulations, and threats of profit taking,” Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, previously told the DCNF. “Many companies have already moved out of the state, along with hundreds of thousands of residents as a result of these and other harmful policies … like a cap on profit margins, that hurt consumers by making conventional energy investments uneconomic. These types of policies have outsourced jobs to other states and increased California’s reliance on oil and electricity imports — all with little or no environmental benefit.” (MORE FROM CALIFORNIA: Complicit? California Democrats Send Another Child Sex Trafficking Bill Into Oblivion – LGBTQ Concerns Raised) In the letter, Newsom pointed to the recent closure of the LyondellBasell refinery in Houston and the Trump administration’s trade policies to support his argument that refinery closures are part of a broader national trend. When LyondellBasell announced that the refinery would close in January, the company said that it is getting out of the refining business altogether and focusing instead on low-carbon energy. Analysis from The Modern Memo Have you ever heard the phrase: “play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” We exist in an oil-based economy. Our entire civilization is built on oil and gas. The existence of our renewable energies industry is exclusively dependent on oil and gas, because we can’t make and transport things like solar panels and wind turbines without oil and gas. Unfortunately, the world is far too divided for any type of zero-point energy, like that created by Nikola Tesla, to be viable for any macro roll-out. We therefore need a means of balancing our energy needs with our economy and natural environment. Part of that balance starts with electing people who don’t push stupid legislation that can upend our stability as a nation. Instead of short-term, click-bait bills and legislation designed for the limited time elected officials have between reelection campaigns, we need leaders who focus on long-term solutions to all of the major societal issues we’re facing today. That’s why The Modern Memo is a huge supporter of Million Voices, and their work in breaking down the barriers between you and your elected officials. Million Voices has engaged well over 150 million American voters with non-partisan Candidate Fact Sheets, and helped more than 650,000 low-propensity voters pledge to vote. Outside of major election years, Million Voices helps you contact your reps in ways they can’t ignore you. Did you know that if just eight to 10 people write letters to their elected officials about the same issue, that politician has to take action? If they don’t, that politician is ignoring a crisis — and we won’t let them get away with it. You can tell your lawmakers to stop doing stupid stuff today….
Complicit? California Democrats Send Another Child Sex Trafficking Bill Into Oblivion – LGBTQ Concerns Raised
This article was written by Martin Tribe for WokeSpy. The Democrat-dominated California legislature is reluctant to pass a bill to protect children under 18 years from sex trafficking. Introduced by Sacramento Democrat Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, Assembly Bill 379 (AB 379) aims to protect children under 18 years from sex solicitation and child trafficking. “I want to solve two problems with this bill: One, we have to create more resources for victims like Julie and the thousands of other victims who are being trafficked,” the Assemblywoman explained. “And two: we have to crack down on the men who are buying them for sex. That’s what Assembly Bill 379 does. “It creates a law that allows law enforcement to intervene, when men are out on the prowl trying to buy victims for sex. It also makes it chargeable as a felony when those victims are under 18 years old.” Democrats ‘Neutered’ The Bill In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1414 into law, making it a felony to solicit sex from children under the age of 16. However, soliciting or purchasing sex from 16- and 17-year-old children was a wobbler, allowing prosecutors to charge it as a misdemeanor or felony. (MORE FROM WokeSpy: Another Trump Victory: Walmart Announces Buy “American-Made” Initiative) Introduced by Bakersfield Republican state Senator Shannon Grove and Assemblywoman Krell, SB 1414 aimed to make it a felony to solicit sex from all children under the age of 18. According to Krell, banning solicitation across the board would help to protect children from sex trafficking, which hinges on the ability to purchase sex from minors without serious consequences. Nonetheless, California Democrats neutered the bill, capping the age at 15 years and below for felony charges to apply. Additionally, they attempted to kill it by sending it to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Use Your Voice for Change Today with Million Voices We shouldn’t have to fight for the right to protect children. Your voice is a powerful tool for making a meaningful difference in your community, state, and nation. Use Your Voice bridges the gap between you and your representatives, amplifying your concerns and advocating for the change you want to see.
Trump’s First 100 Days: Gangs, Primetime Collapse, And More ‘Underreported Stories’
“Underreported Stories” host Chrissy Clark sat down in April with Semafor White House correspondent Shelby Talcott to discuss the myriad things that have happened during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office — this is one you’re not going to want to miss! “It has been a lot,” Talcott told Clark of her job during Trump’s second term in office thus far. “There’s been a lot of lack of sleep. But it’s been a lot of fun and I think we came into this, or at least I came into this, knowing that this was going to be the pace in which the Trump administration was doing things because they told us during the transition.” Talcott smiled as she told her story, noting that officials told journalists before the start of Trump’s second term that there would be no slowing down. “They want to overwhelm the system,” Talcott added. 2-Year-Old Deported? In their first story for the episode, Clark and Talcott discussed how the Trump administration was recently criticized for technically deporting a 2-year-old child and her mother who is an illegal immigrant. The child will be welcomed back to the U.S. whenever she chooses as she is legal to do so. (MORE NEWS: Navy SEAL Dissects Ukraine Negotiations Strategy In Must-Watch Chrissy Clark Interview) Despite immigration being a generally good issue for Trump, Clark noted that this particular case isn’t a good look for the administration. “It’s just such a tough situation and there’s a lot of ‘He said; She said,’” Talcott added. Clark also shared a social media post about the story where she went into more detail. We highly recommend you watch the whole thing! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chrissy Clark (@thechrissyclark) Find More From Chrissy Clark Follow Chrissy Clark on social media and a whole heap of other platforms … Check out Chrissy’s YouTube Follow her on Instagram Read and watch more on X
Wisconsin Could Control America If Voters Stay Home In April 2025
Wisconsin voters have the potential to decide the fate of all Americans in April, a situation finally getting some of the attention it deserves (but probably not enough). Voters in Wisconsin will head to the polls on April 1 to decide the ideological balance of the state’s Supreme Court, which could have a direct impact on every future presidential election. The “highly consequential” race will further dictate the future of issues such as life, religious freedom, as well as election integrity, and more. The current balance in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is a 4-3 liberal majority after Justice Janet Protasiewicz won in 2023. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is officially retiring her position, allowing for either an even balance or a significant liberal majority to dictate the future of Wisconsin’s legislation, according to Breitbart. “It’s probably going to be just as competitive as the last couple of presidential and gubernatorial elections and Senate elections here,” said former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, according to NBC News. Though the race is supposed to be nonpartisan, Walked noted the situation is promised to “reach a level that much more like what you see in partisan elections.” Who Are The Candidates? Left-wing billionaires like George Soros, Silicon Valley’s Reid Hoffman, and more, are pouring millions into Dane County Circuit Court judge Susan Crawford. “I believe people in Wisconsin deserve to feel safe as they go about their lives…My top priority in making decisions is always to make our communities safer,” said Crawford of her policies, according to Ballotpedia. Other liberal judges have also endorsed Crawford’s campaign. The Milwaukee Police Association officially endorsed Waukesha County Circuit court judge Brad Schimel’s campaign. He says he’s running to “restore confidence in the people of Wisconsin that the justice system will be fair and impartial…I will be honest about my principles, but will never prejudge a case.” Support is rolling into both campaigns, including $1 million from a group with ties to technology billionaire Elon Musk, according to Politico. Why This Matters To People Outside Of Wisconsin “Wisconsin is the only state that was one of the closest three margins in the last three Presidential elections. It was critical in deciding who became president each of the last three elections. The margins have been by less than 30,000 with over 3,000,000 votes cast,” Million Voices’ John Graves explains. “The four liberal justices overruled the three conservative justices after the liberal took over the court in 2023, and reversed the ruling on drop boxes and other critical election integrity rulings. That’s why it’s the most important state right now, and that’s why this election is so important.” The Wisconsin election isn’t just about what happens for state residents. The issues that matter most to you ultimately, as they trickle upwards from the local level, end up in the hands of those who run this nation. Wisconsin basically chooses the president every four years. Do you want policies related to noncitizen voting, ballot drop boxes, and more, to be part of Wisconsin’s electoral system? It is essential to tell your friends, family, pastor, anyone you know who may have ties to Wisconsin, to get out and vote in April. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on the races, so be sure to share them with your kin. Read more from Million Voices and get your Wisconsin Voter Guide! Explore more from The Modern Memo.
EXCLUSIVE: State Law Could Cut Food Costs With Overhaul Of Farming, Agricultural Industry
This article was originally published by Million Voices. North Carolina Republican State Rep. Neal Jackson introduced House Bill 62 on Wednesday (Feb. 19), which aims to protect farmers from financial discrimination based on their use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. ESG probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you’re looking at the cost of food in today’s America. In recent weeks, we asked our partners and newsletter subscribers to start sending us comments on the key issues impacting their day-to-day lives. Cost-of-living and the price of food and fuel was by far the most notable issue. Did you know that ESG — essentially “pro-climate” policies — are one of the main reasons many people believe we have “rising prices and smother[ed] innovation,” according to the HB 62’s sponsors, the Carolina Journal noted. “I am proud to sponsor HB 62 the Farmers Protection Act. This bill is a step in the right direction for North Carolina. Rather than using ESG ratings that have proven to be disastrous on the international stage, banks in our state should return to evaluating loans based on financial indicators. North Carolina’s agriculture industry is vital to our state’s success, and we cannot allow misguided policies to hold back our farmers,” Jackson told Million Voices. What Does The Bill Include? “It is unlawful for any bank to deny or cancel service to any agriculture producer based, in whole or in part, upon the agriculture producer’s greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or use of fossil fuel-powered machinery,” the bill states. “If a bank has made any ESG commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that the bank’s denial or restriction of service to an agriculture producer violates this section. A bank may overcome this rebuttable presumption, by demonstrating through clear and convincing evidence, that its denial or restriction of a service was based solely on documented financial considerations rather than an ESG commitment.” If passed, it will be interesting to see how this bill shapes up to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on ending chronic illness — also at the source: our food and the chemicals we use to grow and distribute it around the country. Then again, as many of the world’s major academic and scientific institutions have been “captured” by corporate interests, it could be that the science on the environment and our climate will also change rapidly throughout the Trump administration’s time in office. “When applied to agriculture, ESG principles drive restrictive policies and financial practices that penalize farmers for operating in ways that have sustained the sector for generations,” Center for Food policy analyst Kelly Lester said of the legislation. “These include requirements to reduce emissions, adopt renewable energy, and avoid certain farming practices deemed environmentally harmful. The real-world application of these goals burdens farmers with excessive costs and compliance requirements, often with little respect for the unique challenges of agriculture.” “Agriculture is one of the most crucial industries to the North Carolina economy,” Jackson said of the bill, per CJ. “Unfortunately, farmers in our state have encountered challenges obtaining financing by some of the larger lending institutions who have determined that farming does not align with their organization’s carbon or social goals. The Farmers Protection Act ensures that there is no discrimination against NC farmers based upon a radical ESG philosophy.” Does Your State Support Its Agricultural Community? Unlike money, a huge amount of our food actually does grow on trees — and roams in fields, flourishes in our soils, and soars above us in our skies — and America has all the land it needs to produce all the food we need. But each state and its unique environment requires local knowledge to get the best out of God’s green Earth. “Europe provides a cautionary tale for ESG agricultural policies,” said John Locke Foundation’s Brooke Medina, according to CJ. “Aggressive climate policies in the Netherlands have driven many farmers to the brink of bankruptcy, with the possibly disastrous consequences of food shortages and economic collapse. This should serve as a warning for US policymakers, that ESG regulations could lead to the same dire outcomes.” Explore more of The Modern Memo by clicking here.
Greed, Ambition, and the Fight for Women’s Sports: A Turning Point or Just a Temporary Win?
by Rebekah Howell On Wednesday (Feb. 5) surrounded by dozens of women and girls with smiling faces, President Trump signed an Executive Order in furtherance of two objectives: 1) prohibiting the use of federal funds for educational programs that treat women and girls unfairly and threaten their privacy; and 2) opposing biological men from competing in women’s sports. It was a remarkable, joyous occasion and it is an incredible Executive Order, but it is one that never should have had to be signed. So, how did we get to this place? “She gave everything she had, but then the league forced her to share a spot on the podium with a male swimmer who took her trophy while the media celebrated this stolen glory.” Trump recognizes @Riley_Gaines_‘s contributions at the signing of the executive order protecting… pic.twitter.com/o8lBMWvU9Q — The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 5, 2025 Some believe the Radical Left is solely to blame. Others argue it was the feminists in the 1970s, the ones who championed “reproductive freedom” and equal outcome as opposed to equal opportunity. Then there are those who say it is the LGBTQ activists who have dedicated their lives to promoting moral relativism. Each of these answers holds merit, but they all share a common thread—greed and an insatiable desire for more. The Radical Left wants more power. The feminists want more money, more “freedom”, and more accolades. The LGBTQ activists want more validation, hoping to justify a lifestyle that has left them broken, unfulfilled, and angry. And transgender athletes like Lia Thomas and CeCé Telfer want more medals. When I was growing up, culture declared that this search for more was admirable. It was ambitious, and ambition is a good thing. “Dream bigger,” they said. “You can do or have anything you want.” But overtime ambition turned into something else entirely. The principles of hard work and perseverance to achieve success gradually gave way to a mindset of cutting corners and cheating one’s way to the top. .@Riley_Gaines_ reacts outside the White House to Donald Trump’s EO banning men from women’s sports: “What we saw today is in total contrast to the treatment that we as women have received for the past four years…I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.” pic.twitter.com/f858BpDUAE — Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) February 5, 2025 And, for the last several years, cultural and political leaders defended this shift. Why? Greed. They wanted more power and more influence. To get that, they needed more people to follow them and vote for them. Did they really believe then that it was a good idea for biological men to compete against women? Do they still genuinely believe that now? It doesn’t matter. They too—in their futile search for more—subscribed to the same mindset of cutting corners to get to the top. They were more than willing to sacrifice objective truth due to their greed. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The truth is that greed does lead to more—more greed and more discontentment. Or, as Timothy says, more ruin, destruction, and pangs. (POPULAR POST: ‘Separation Of Church And State Is So Stupid’: National Radio Host Joe Pags Goes Off) Thankfully, this Executive Order serves as a barrier to some of those driven by greed. Women and girls are now free to pursue their ambitions and receive the recognition they rightfully earned through their achievements. Is this merely a one-time exception, or does it signal a seismic shift in mindset? That depends on us. If we stay engaged and continue to stand for truth, this could mark a new era in America. If we grow complacent, however, this moment will fade into history as an anomaly rather than a turning point. So, will you speak boldly, act courageously, and remain steadfast in your convictions to ensure this is the foundation for radical transformation, and not just a fleeting victory?
Independent Journalist Chrissy Clark Predicts Huge Govt. Waste, Corruption Days Before DOGE Revelation
This article is updated from content originally shared here. Independent journalist Chrissy Clark shared a video in late January where she “suggested the US government was [directly] interfering [with] alleged ‘journalism’ at Politico, which other journalists now believe may be true. Clark’s story revolves around a report by former Politico journalists who recently alleged that the outlet “took their sweet time” to cover certain stories and published “a bunch of lies disguised as headlines.” One example involved coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop and the 51 intelligence agents who signed a letter claiming it wasn’t real. 8 days ago I reviewed an interview between two ex-Politico reporters on my YouTube channel and suggested the US government was DIRECTLY interfering w/ alleged “journalism” at Politico. If you like being ahead of the curve, follow me on YT: https://t.co/tqbeqTNGbZ https://t.co/UEeJpUVmX9 pic.twitter.com/pdx8mfe2ZU — Chrissy Clark (@chrissyclark_) February 5, 2025 “And so I just have to wonder whether the Biden administration went to their preferred … media outlets that they knew would push their narrative?” Clark said in the video. Her post came in response to another claim by podcaster and journalist Benny Johnson, who said Politico “missed a pay period” on February 4, after which it was revealed that U.S. government agencies “dropped a staggering $34 million in contracts with Virginia-based news outlet Politico, mostly on subscriptions, according to data from USASpending.gov.,” wrote the Daily Caller. The missed pay period at Politico was apparently due to a “technical error.” Where Did All That Money Go? The money was broken down and shared out across almost every government agency. Examples include $862,025 between 2021 and 2025 in subscriptions for the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to Politico’s Energy and Environment (E&E) News service. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services made a purchase order of $445,140 to Politico. The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department all spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on either E&E or Politico Pro. Subscriptions to Politico Pro costs roughly $10,000, according to Daily Caller. (FAITH NEWS: ‘Separation Of Church And State Is So Stupid’: National Radio Host Joe Pags Goes Off) Other outlets found to be “raking in taxpayer cash” include The New York Times, Wall Street Journal parent company Dow Jones & Co Inc., The Associated Press, and others, according to data shared by the Daily Caller News Foundation. What Is Next For Govt. Waste? White House Press Secretary Karolina Leavitt didn’t leave much to the imagination when explaining the future of those payments to Politico: Press Secretary Leavitt calls out Politico to their face. “I was made aware of funding from USAID to Media Outlets…including Politico…who I know has a seat in this room. The $8M you receive ends today. The DOGE Team is cancelling those payments now…” pic.twitter.com/s3xiy2h87F — Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) February 5, 2025 Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley told Fox News that people “are losing their minds” over the Trump administration’s exposure of taxpayer dollars being wasted. “They’re panicking big time, Laura, because their power base is being threatened. That’s what’s really going on here. I mean, look at what they’re doing over USAID. This is because they’ve used that as their personal plaything. That includes billions and billions of taxpayer dollars that have gone, yeah, to fund outrageous stuff overseas like trans-affirming projects in Zimbabwe or whatever,” Hawley explained to host Laura Ingraham. “But also let’s not forget to fund their preferred media outlets like Politico and who knows what other left-wing rags have been getting money, federal government money from this agency, and there’s been no accountability,” Hawley added. “So yes, what’s happening is Trump is exposing all of this. He is cutting off the liberal supply chains, as it were, and the liberals are just losing their minds. They’re totally losing their minds. […] We need more of it. You mentioned the IRS. I love it. I love Trump’s idea to get rid of the Internal Revenue Service. Let’s make it the External Revenue Service. Let’s start making these agencies work for the American people.” Take Action On This Issue The Modern Memo is not a breaking news organization. We’re a resource, an aggregator, somewhere for you to come and learn more about the issues you care about. Unlike every other news outlet, The Modern Memo shows you how to Take Action on these issues. We just need a couple of things from you to make that happen: (1) tell us what you care about — whether in the comments, social media, via email, whatever, get in touch today and we’ll start researching for you, for free! (2) join us in our mission to become the loudest voices in America!
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