**A bill awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature would provide essential workers, including farm employees, access to the state’s stockpile of N95 respirators to protect them from smoke.

Assembly Bill 73 was passed in the Legislature after suppliers struggled to keep up with demand for respirators during California’s record-setting fire season last year.

**Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Ag Committee, is not happy after seeing the recently revealed reconciliation text.

Thompson says the measure is an attack on the Farm Bill process by extending narrow, partisan priorities beyond their expiration while leaving production agriculture hanging on the vine.

He says it’s what happens when congressional committees are held hostage by party leaders who have zero interest in protecting individuals and communities who feed, clothe, and fuel this great nation.

**The nation's average gas price is down 0.7 cents per gallon from a week ago to $3.17 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy, the NATIONAL average is up 3.8 cents from a month ago and $1.00 per gallon higher than a year ago.

The national average price of diesel rose 1.4 cents in the last week and stands at $3.31 per gallon.

Crude oil prices are increasing on renewed concerns that oil supply is not keeping up with demand as the global economy continues to improve.

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