Maldonado insists he’s against offshore drilling
February 3, 2010
State Senator and lieutenant governor nominee Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) insists he’s still opposed to any oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast. [Capitol Alert]
Maldonado made the comments during a Tuesday conference call with reporters. “My vote remains the same,” Maldonado said, indicating his opposition because of uncertainty whether or not the drilling platforms would ever be removed.
The lieutenant governor sits on the State Lands Commission and would be the deciding vote on whether to allow the controversial Tranquillon Ridge drilling project to proceed. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger supports the plan, hoping to generate needed tax revenue. There had been speculation that Maldonado might switch his vote to please the governor.
Maldonado began the official confirmation process this week. If the Legislature takes no action on the nomination, Maldonado officially becomes lieutenant governor at midnight on Feb. 21.
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