by Geo. H. Corrales
On January 30th, California Assembly members Liz Ortega and Jessica Caloza (both Democrats) threatened legislation that would prohibit car rental companies from serving ICE agents. In news stories at the time, Caloza and Ortega said they would co-author the legislation.
Has anything happened since? The answer is no. The whole thing was a ruse, an empty threat.
In California, making an empty threat in public under the color of authority is unacceptable and a possible violation of the state’s rules of conduct for legislators.
As public officials, legislators must maintain their ethical standing and the trust of the public. An empty threat that induces fear or forces business owners to feel threatened could potentially violate Penal Code 403. For the legislators in question, that law could have serious consequences, including potential criminal charges. But that won’t happen. Democrats rule.
It is crucial for California legislators to understand the implications of their speech and actions, especially when it comes to making legislative threats that could be interpreted as putting a serious hurt on someone or a business.
Censure is more than called for in this instance, and if the state’s commitment to law enforcement and public safety means anything, empty threats by legislators should lead to legal repercussions regardless of the intent behind the words.