Just when you thought the Democrat supermajority in California couldn't get any more delusional, lawmakers are now mandating utilities across the state to bill ratepayers based on how much they make—no matter how much electricity they use. 

You read that right. No matter how much electricity they use, they will be billed based on their income. 

The director of the University of Southern California Business of Energy Transition initiative, Shon Hiatt, said:

The problem here has been affordability. While California has focused almost completely on clean energy, it has disregarded reliability and affordability, and costs have continued to escalate. So, one of the (ways) they thought to address affordability (was), 'Let's just consider a tax and begin taxing people based on their income to address electricity rates.' The assumption is, 'Well, if you're making $100,000 in the state, you must be super-wealthy,' but what if you have five or six kids? Will they be treated the same as a single head of household?

That is an important question, and California taxpayers deserve to know the answer. However, knowing California's leadership, we will likely never hear their reasoning so long as they continue with their green agenda. 

Hiatt added:

Renewable energy is not cheaper than natural gas or coal or other types of baseload energy. The problem with intermittent renewables is that they're not on all the time. You still need natural gas or battery backup.

The average electric bill in California is $261 per month. Here is what the proposed tier rate plan by Pacific Gas, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern California Edison would look like: Households earning $28,000-to-$69,000 per year would pay an extra $20-to-$34 per month. Those who earn $69,000-to-$180,000 per year would be charged an extra $51-to-$73 monthly surcharge. Lastly, those earning over $180,000 per year would pay $85-to-$128 per month. 

Despite the California exodus, lawmakers thought this would somehow be a good idea. If this bill becomes law, the state will be the first in the nation to charge electricity based on income. The saying, as goes California, so goes the nation, still remains true. This should be a warning to the nation that it's coming to a state near you. 

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) have repeatedly pushed the idea that renewable energy is cheaper and renewable energy should be the future of the nation. Electricity costs are based on supply and demand, and it appears that career politicians don't understand that. 

California Gov Gavin Newsom pushes hard for renewable energy.

But Californians now know that this kind of power isn’t reliable.

Residents pay MORE. Then they're told to use LESS power to avoid blackouts. pic.twitter.com/siH79cIuWd

— John Stossel (@JohnStossel) March 8, 2024

At least there is one Democrat who came to her senses about the issue. Jacqui Irwin had this to say about the proposal:

Our constituents have had enough and so have we. It’s time to put some reasoning back into how we charge for electricity in California. At a time when energy conservation is badly needed to avoid rolling blackouts, this dramatic policy shift could actually result in increased usage by some Californians.

Irwin voted for the proposal in 2023, but after her constituents in Thousand Oaks complained, the lawmaker changed her mind. She also said the quiet part out loud:

It would be nearly impossible to implement given the many legal and privacy challenges that there would undoubtedly be to accurately determine every taxpayer in the state's income.

Irwin seems to call out Newsom's buddy PG&E and how they are profiting as revenue surges due to California taxpayers bearing the brunt of electricity and gas bills. 

And the PUC wants to institute an income graduated fee on ratepayers? 🤔#AB1999 #caleghttps://t.co/SETzWHfgGY

— ASM Jacqui Irwin (@ASM_Irwin) February 22, 2024

This is another ludicrous bill that will drive more taxpayers out of California, which faces a $73 billion record deficit. That is not the model for the nation, and Newsom's vision should be a warning.