For me, politics is all about policy. Political campaigns are necessary in a democracy to elect our leaders, but it is always my hope that after the election is over people will accept the results and shift into governance mode.I vote for politicians based on the policies that they support. However, if my preferred candidate does not win, this does not end my policy objectives. The time in between elections is when we see what our elected officials can do for us. It is always fair to ask, “What have they done for us lately?”Today I will relay some recent updates about the activities of a few of our state and federal representatives. While I get news from a variety of credible sources, the following three elected officials are very reliable in sending me information directly. This news is from them.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');Governor NewsomOn March 28, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to hold Big Oil accountable with some of the strongest transparency and oversight measures in the country, including authorizing the state to establish a price gouging penalty on the oil industry.Last year it appeared that oil producers suppressed supply to drive up prices. While the rest of the economy was struggling, oil companies raked in record profits. In response, Governor Newsom proposed and a supermajority in both the Senate and Assembly approved a new law (SBx1-2) which created a dedicated independent watchdog to root out price gouging by oil companies and authorized the California Energy Commission to create a penalty to hold the industry accountable.This new independent watchdog will closely monitor Big Oil and will refer any industry misconduct, violation of law, or market manipulation to the Attorney General for prosecution.California Attorney General Rob Bonta explained why he co-sponsored this bill, “Record high retail gas prices and record-breaking profits for Big Oil hurt those who can least afford it most of all. For too long, Californians have been left in the dark when it comes to the practices of the gas industry. And while oil companies have been lining their pockets, many Californians are struggling to make ends meet.”Senator McGuireOur State Senator Mike McGuire is currently serving as Senate Majority Leader, which makes him the second highest ranking member of the State Senate. He effectively uses this position to benefit his constituents.In February, Senator McGuire introduced Senate Bill 286, “The Offshore Wind Expediting Act,” which will accelerate the state-side offshore wind permitting process through the State Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission.At the same time, this bill will protect California’s coastal environment and storied fishing fleet, deploy resources for offshore wind infrastructure in local communities and help get folks to work through new career training programs.“If we’re serious about bringing on desperately needed new power generation facilities and meeting the state’s nation-leading climate goals and energy needs, we must move heaven and earth to deploy new green power,” Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire said.Congressman HuffmanSometimes it is the duty of an elected official to prevent bad things from happening.The new Republican controlled Congress includes radical extremists who seem obsessed with avenging past grievances and reversing any progress that the Democrats have made over the last two years. We are fortunate to have Jared Huffman there to minimize the damage of this new congress. In March Congressman Huffman voted against House Resolution 1 (H.R.1), the House Republicans’ first bill and top legislative priority. Huffman calls this bill the “Polluters over People Act.”Explaining his vote, Huffman said, “We must do everything we can to shore up our domestic energy supplies and speed up our transition to a clean energy future, but unfortunately this bill misses the mark.”Huffman opposed several provisions of H.R.1 which would:• Force agencies to hold oil and gas lease sales on public lands, even if they aren’t needed. If these sales don’t get enough bids, replacement sales must be held, giving our public lands away at cut-rate prices.•Let mining companies keep taking minerals from public lands without paying a single dime to the American people or even helping pay the billions needed to clean up their toxic messes.•Repeal the $4.5 billion home electrification rebate program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $27 billion program to deploy clean energy projects and cut greenhouse gas pollution. This would rob the American people of lower energy bills, well-paying jobs, and a healthier future.The Republican majority in Congress approved H.R.1 and sent it to the Senate where it will most likely die. If it passes the Senate, it will surely get vetoed by President Biden. In a nutshell this is an unproductive waste of time and only serves to highlight the radical policies of the Republican dominated House of Representatives.Real Solutions“There are real, workable solutions to addressing our energy needs, extreme weather, food insecurity, and all the downstream consequences of climate change. But this package is not it.” said Huffman. “I am committed to making sure we get those real solutions across the finish line.”Congressman Huffman is making it a priority to bring more renewable energy online, and to modernize and upgrade electricity transmission facilities. Last year the Democratic Congress passed the largest ever investment in climate action through the “Inflation Reduction Act.”There may not be any fruitful legislation that passes Congress this year, but I am reassured that Congressman Huffman is there to guard against backsliding.I support these energy related policy actions by Governor Newsom, Senator McGuire, and Congressman Huffman and am grateful that we have them representing our interests in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.Kevin Hendrick is a 30-year resident of Del Norte County. kevinjameshendrick@gmail.com googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });