Straight Talk: OCGOP's Will O’Neill On California’s Energy Crisis, A New Assembly Republican Leader, The Governor’s Race, And Political Bias At The Orange County Fair

California gas prices, foreign oil dependence and Gavin Newsom’s energy policies take center stage in this conversation with Will O’Neill, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County and former two-time mayor of Newport Beach. O’Neill joins Jon Fleischman to argue that California’s taxes, regulations and declining refinery capacity are raising prices while making the state increasingly reliant on imported oil. He explains why he views that dependence—particularly on energy routed through Asia and the Middle East—as an economic and national-security concern. Jon and Will also discuss new Assembly Republican Leader Ali Macedo, the challenge of breaking California’s Democratic supermajority, Steve Hilton’s call for Xavier Becerra to debate, and a political controversy involving the Orange County Fair.TOPICS DISCUSSEDCalifornia gas prices and refinery closuresNewsom’s oil and energy policiesCalifornia’s reliance on foreign oilChina, the Middle East and national securityAli Macedo’s Assembly Republican leadershipSteve Hilton’s debate challenge to Xavier BecerraPolitical-party booths and controversial artwork at the Orange County Fair CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and introduction01:01 Meet Will O’Neill03:04 California gas prices and Newsom’s oil policies04:22 Foreign oil and national security08:01 Newsom, China and overseas dependence12:50 Ali Macedo becomes Assembly Republican leader18:37 Will Xavier Becerra debate Steve Hilton?23:38 The Orange County Fair controversy29:53 Follow Will O’Neill30:49 Closing thoughts ABOUT THE GUESTWill O’Neill is chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, a former two-time mayor of Newport Beach and a practicing attorney.Follow Will on Instagram and Facebook: @RealWillONeill What do you think? Are California’s energy policies protecting the environment—or exporting production, increasing foreign dependence and raising prices at home? Subscribe to So Does It Matter? for more straight talk about California politics, public policy and the issues affecting everyday Californians.