Gov. Arnold Gives In to the Tree Huggers

Sometimes I wonder if the Governator really wants to get reelected. Yesterday he joined with the radical tree huggers to create legislation that will reduce California business competitiveness and give business owners yet another reason to leave the state:

California catapulted to the forefront of U.S. efforts to fight global warming on Wednesday with an accord that will give the state the toughest laws in the nation on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and possibly spur a reluctant Washington to take similar action.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has accused fellow Republican President George W. Bush of failing to demonstrate leadership on climate change, said he reached a "historic agreement" with Democrats to make California a world leader in reducing carbon emissions.

"The success of our system will be an example for other states and nations to follow as the fight against climate change continues," Schwarzenegger said in a statement after weeks of tense negotiations....

California's Global Warming Solutions Act aims to cut emissions to 1990 levels, or around 25 percent, by 2020 with an enforceable cap and mandatory reporting for top polluters like energy companies.

The head of a radical environmental group seems to think that President Bush will be impressed by this new law and will suddenly "get on board" the global warming bandwagon. I don't think so.

California's breakthrough on global warming could have a "huge" impact on policy in Washington, said Fred Krupp, president of environmental advocacy group Environmental Defense. "This adds tremendous momentum to the already growing momentum and makes it more likely than ever that Washington will act," said Krupp.

Sorry, Fred, but Bush isn't going to be impressed by something that impresses you. Environmental laws are quickly becoming suicide pacts for U.S. business, and should this bill be fully enacted in California, many businesses will have no choice but to leave the state.