Will Newsom gas rebate result in new tax?

Could a gas rebate end up costing taxpayers at the pump even more?

Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session on rebates to offset high gas prices funded by a windfall profits tax on oil companies.

The session will be Dec. 5, timed with the swearing-in of the new Legislature.

Newsom plans to call a special legislative session in December to push for a tax on oil industry profits, the latest escalation in a feud over soaring gasoline prices that Newsom calls greedy and manipulative.

Newsom said today that he would convene the special session on Dec. 5, the same day that a new class of lawmakers is sworn in.

"Gas prices in California have soared in recent weeks to an average of $6.39 per gallon, as of Friday, according to AAA, near the highest they've ever been.

Newsom, who originally unveiled his plans for a "windfall profits tax" on oil companies a week ago, had few additional details to share.

The plan could take the form of an excise tax, he said, with revenue being returned to taxpayers as rebates.

Despite his urgency, he said convening the special session in two months would give his team time to "get our ducks in a row" — developing a strategy that can get through the Legislature, where a two-thirds vote by both houses is required for any tax measure, and stand up to expected legal challenges by the oil industry.

"Republicans, who comprise a superminority of the Legislature, criticized the tax plan as insulting and said that it would drive up prices further because oil companies would pass on the cost.

Newsom once again rejected calls to suspend the state's 54-cent-per-gallon gas tax, because he said oil companies would simply pocket the savings.

New laws take aim at catalytic converter theft

Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week that he signed a bill that makes it illegal for recyclers to buy a valuable car part from anyone other than the legal owner or a licensed dealer. This is aimed at stopping the widespread theft of catalytic converters from cars.

There have been dozens, if not more than 100, catalytic converter thefts in Tulare County in the past two years.

Valuable metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium are used in anti-pollution parts of cars. Parts that are hard to track down are easy to cut off a car, which makes them a good target for people who want to make money quickly at a scrap yard.

With the two new laws, buyers will have to pay more if they can't prove that a catalytic converter wasn't stolen. This should make it harder for thieves to sell stolen car parts.

Exeter man who buried his wife alive denied parole

An Exeter man who stabbed his and buried her alive in their backyard was denied parole for the next five years.

At a virtual hearing on August 2, 2022, TCDA prosecutors secured a 5-year denial of parole for Cesar Navarro, age 44, for the 1998 murder of his wife. Also in attendance were victim advocates and the victim’s family. Navarro is currently serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.

On December 16, 1998, in the city of Exeter, Navarro stabbed his 20-year-old wife multiple times in the head and neck with a screwdriver. Knowing that his wife was still alive after the attack, he buried her in the backyard of their home. Her body was found two weeks later after family members filed a missing person report and had been searching for her. At his initial parole hearing in 2014, Navarro said he committed the crime due to perceived infidelity. The victim’s family said that she would often talk about Navarro’s violence with her.

In 2000, a jury convicted Navarro of the murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Navarro was convicted of domestic violence against the victim a few months prior to the murder.

This was Navarro’s second official parole hearing. In 2019, Navarro stipulated a three-year denial without a hearing. A senior deputy district attorney argued against his release in this case.

Career criminal gets reduced sentence despite DA objections

A local judge granted re-sentencing for Hector Salazar, age 39, for the 2013 home invasion of a Ducor residence.

On May 29, 2013, Salazar and two men entered the home of a Ducor man. Upon entering, they pummeled the victim and restrained his arms, legs, and vision with duct tape. The victim later advised law enforcement that he felt an alleged gun pressed to his head while the men demanded money. After about 40 minutes, the victim, thinking the men had left after rummaging the home, freed himself to assess what was taken. 

The men, however, were still present. Now covered with a blanket, the victim again felt what he believed was a gun to his head. After a few more minutes, the men left in the victim’s truck. Salazar pleaded to first-degree robbery with the special enhancement that he possessed a prior serious or violent felony.

Water shutoffs resume in August for past due bills

Residential water users with balances older than 60 days could have their service shut off starting in August if the bill remains unpaid. 

The City of Tulare halted water shut-offs because of the state moratorium on water shut-offs and because of the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Beginning August 3, all past due balances that are more than 60 days delinquent need to be paid to avoid any future shut-offs.

Prosecutors charge man with murder in 2008 Tulare cold case

Prosecutors say DNA evidence led to a murder charge against a man for a 2008 Tulare cold case.

District Attorney Tim Ward today announced criminal charges related to the 2008 shooting death of 21-year-old Tulare man Hernan Diaz.

Luis Villarreal, age 34, is charged with one count of murder with the special allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury, that he possess multiple prior strike and violent felony convictions (assaults with a deadly weapon, 2007), and that he was on felony probation when the offense was committed.

It is alleged that late in the evening of August 12, 2008, at a Tulare apartment complex located at 1309 E. Birch, Villarreal shot Diaz multiple times through Diaz’s bedroom window with a .40 caliber handgun as part of a gang hit. Following the shooting, the Tulare Police Department collected evidence and interviews, but no arrest could be made at the time.

In 2019, the TCDA Bureau of Investigations formed a Cold Case Homicide Unit with the cooperation and mutual assistance with several allied agencies. This case represents the success law enforcement can have solving cases that have grown stale over time. In this case, a potential lead was discovered through the testing of DNA and Villarreal was identified as the person responsible for murdering Herman Diaz.

At the time charges were filed on July 8, 2022, Villarreal was in local custody for recent misdemeanor convictions. On July 11, 2022, Villarreal was arraigned on the charges and pleaded not guilty. He is currently held without bail. Villarreal is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing conference on July 18, 2022, in Department 19. If convicted, Villarreal faces life in prison.

Spacious home in Tulare available now!

This charming home offers plenty of living space. You enter the living room which then opens up to the hallway and kitchen area. 

This home has new paint, new carpet, and new flooring throughout. The bedrooms & bathrooms are located on the north wing of the home. There is a fireplace in the living room that has been locked and is not useable. 

The kitchen offers a dishwasher, built-in microwave, gas stove, and refrigerator all appliances included are all stainless steel. Indoor laundry room nestled between kitchen & family room. The family room has a built-in cabinet made of oak - perfect for storage.