By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is criticizing California’s new replacement-tire efficiency standards, arguing they will limit consumer choice and increase costs for drivers. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom, however, says the regulations will save consumers money.

Hilton protested the standards Aug. 20 outside the California Energy Commission in Sacramento, where he and supporters chanted, “Hands off our tires.” The commission unanimously approved the regulations Aug. 17, making California the first state to adopt energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires.

“We are done with these bureaucrats and these politicians in our state, making everything so insanely expensive,” Hilton said at the protest.

Hilton said that, if elected governor, he would eliminate or defund the Energy Commission. His opposition to the tire standards is part of his broader criticism of California’s high cost of living.

Newsom defended the regulations Aug. 19, citing the commission’s projected savings for consumers.

“I think it was a good choice,” said Newsom. “Save a billion dollars a year in fuel. Talk about an affordability agenda, that makes sense to me.”

The Replacement Tire Efficiency Program sets limits on rolling resistance, which measures how much energy a tire requires to move along a road. Tires with lower rolling resistance can improve a gasoline-powered vehicle’s fuel economy or extend an electric vehicle’s driving range.

The first phase will take effect in 2029, setting a maximum rolling resistance of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. A stricter limit of 7.2 newtons per kilonewton will take effect in 2033.

The Energy Commission says the standards will ensure that replacement tires are, on average, at least as energy efficient as those installed on new vehicles. The agency estimates the regulations will save Californians nearly $1 billion annually in gasoline and electricity costs while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by two million metric tons a year.

Some tire manufacturers, however, have raised concerns about the effect on prices and product availability. Goodyear estimates that about 70% of replacement tires currently sold in California would not meet the 2033 standard and argues that the regulations could increase costs for consumers.

The Energy Commission estimates the standards will add about $1.50 to the cost of each tire during the first phase and $6.50 per tire beginning in 2033. The commission projects that a driver with a gasoline-powered vehicle could save about $179 in fuel costs over the life of a set of tires meeting the 2033 standard.

The regulations exempt several specialty products, including competition, winter, used, retreaded, motorcycle and certain off-road tires.

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By Carla Thomas

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport welcomed Frontier Airlines back on Aug. 20, with a ribbon-cutting celebration marking the launch of new nonstop service between Oakland and Las Vegas.

The celebration, held in Terminal 1, highlighted Frontier’s return to the East Bay airport after last serving OAK in 2023. 

The airline’s new Las Vegas service expands travel choices for Bay Area passengers headed to one of the airport’s most popular destinations.

The new route is scheduled to operate 11 times weekly, including daily service, strengthening connections between Oakland and Las Vegas for both leisure and business travelers.

The inaugural celebration brought together elected officials, airport executives and Frontier Airlines leadership. Participants included U.S. Representative Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Port of Oakland Board President Stephanie Dominguez Walton, Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney and Frontier Airlines Vice President of Public and Consumer Affairs Tyri Squyres.

“We’re excited to restart our service in Oakland,” said Squyres. “The early reaction and response have been great.”

“I’m so glad to have Frontier back,” said McKenney. “I appreciate the partnership we have. We work on it every day with our airlines, community, and our leadership. As your public agency, that’s what we’re here for; to create jobs and opportunities for our community.”

Dominguez Walton also chimed in.

“Today we are celebrating the inaugural flight from OAK to Las Vegas on Frontier Airlines. Oakland is the best way to and from the Bay,” she said.

Squyres highlighted the economic impact.

“Oakland is a critical gateway for the Bay Area moving nearly 10 million travelers each year. OAK is driving local and regional growth keeping the City of Oakland moving forward, moving ahead and also competitive,” she said. “Expanding travel opportunities means not only more options for residents but also opening more high-quality jobs. And when travelers arrive through OAK, they directly support our neighborhoods, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and our cultural attractions.”

Simon broke down what the airline’s reopening means to Oaklanders.

“It’s the grandmother heading to the family reunion at a price she can afford. It’s the small business owner who gets to go to the industry tradeshow and be back by dinner. And it’s the family being able to come from Nevada to get excellent cancer care at our Children’s Hospital at a price they can afford,” she said.

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport serves as the primary airport for much of the East Bay and provides connections to the region through highways and BART. Operated by the Port of Oakland, the airport is part of a broader transportation and economic network that also includes the Oakland seaport and approximately 20 miles of East Bay waterfront.

According to the Port of Oakland, its operations and business partners support nearly 100,000 regional jobs and generates nearly $175 billion in economic impact.

Simon also emphasized the flights’ potential to create well-paying jobs in the local community.

“More flights means more work for real people in the community, in East Oakland. We know aviation work is steady, and it pays well. It’s work that brings in good labor jobs and prevailing wages.”

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By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber is asking voters to help protect the integrity of the November 2026 election by taking one important step: Vote early.

Weber said her office is working to combat misinformation, expand voter outreach and maintain ballot security as California prepares for the Nov. 3 general election.

“We want folks to vote early because there are so many attacks on voting,” Weber said. “We want to make sure everyone gets their ballot in. Don’t wait until the last minute. It will help us immensely in terms of not just reducing time but making sure that your ballot gets counted.”

Weber spoke Aug. 18 at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento as part of its California Leaders Speaker Series. She encouraged eligible Californians to participate in the election and avoid waiting until the last minute to return their ballots.

The California Leaders Speaker Series is an ongoing program that provides a platform for public officials, policy experts, and state leaders to engage with students and the broader University of California community. According to organizers, the bipartisan series is designed to foster dialogue about significant political and social issues and strengthen connections between the university and the Capitol community.

During the discussion, Weber offered insights into her role as California’s chief elections officer and the preparations underway ahead of the November election.

Former Assemblymember Catharine Baker (R-Dublin), director of the UC Student and Policy Center and a former member of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, moderated the conversation.

Their discussion focused on election integrity, leadership and the future of democracy. Weber described California’s voting process as a “special system” that empowers people while requiring election officials to manage complex logistical, security and communications responsibilities.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) and other opponents raised concerns about the measure’s potential costs and effects on voting access.

Supporters argue that Prop 39 would strengthen election security and increase public confidence in the voting process. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) is a co-author of the measure.

DeMaio and Reform California, the conservative political action committee he founded, launched the campaign for the Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration Initiative in July 2025.

“Politicians and the media will keep denying the fact that California has real problems with election integrity, but the message from the public is loud and clear in support of requiring Voter ID as the best way to restore public trust and confidence in our elections,” DeMaio stated.

Weber told Baker and the audience that she does not believe California has a voter identification problem. State law generally does not require voters to present identification when casting a ballot, although voters must provide identifying information when registering.

“We do have to verify every piece of mail. We have to make sure that you are actually the person submitting that ballot,” Weber said.

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