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The only Democratic Party state lawmaker who voted against Gov. Gavin Newsom's bill that could punish oil refiners for making too much money has been stripped of a key legislative committee. Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains confirmed in a statement to KCRA 3 on Thursday night that Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon removed her from the Assembly's Business and Professions Committee. "While I am disappointed, I remain firm in my commitment to serve the interests of the people I was elected to represent," Bains said in a statement on Thursday. "I look forward to continuing to work with the Speaker and my colleagues to expand access to health care, provide good-paying jobs, and ensure our communities are safe." Bains represents parts of Kern County, an epicenter of California's oil industry. KCRA 3 reached out to Rendon Thursday afternoon to ask why Bains had been stripped of the committee. Rendon's office had not yet responded to the request for comment as of Thursday night. The development comes days after lawmakers in the Assembly gave the final stamp of approval on Newsom's measure that pushes oil refiners to be more transparent about their business practices and empowers state regulators to punish the companies when they make too much money off California drivers. Bains, who was the only Democratic Party lawmaker to vote no on the bill, tweeted that evening. Newsom's chief of staff, Dana Williamson, replied. When asked for comment, Newsom's office noted it has no role in deciding Assembly committee assignments. "It looks like political hard ball," said NBC Political Director, Chuck Todd. "I think there's a danger when you start to punish people like that, you could end up alienating swing voters." Todd said he anticipates seeing more public divides within California's democratic party, which holds a super majority in state government. "I think you'll see more tension like this as you get more business interests who decide the Republican party is useless in California," Todd said. "In this case, they found someone in oil who represents someone who may be impacted by it job wise."Todd said he's curious to see if party leaders will continue to be aggressive in creating a party machine that forces members to fall in line. "It's a slippery slope and usually leads to more problems than solutions," he said. Bains serves on other committees in the Assembly. She is the leader of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee and is a member of the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and the Revenue and Taxation Committee.

The only Democratic Party state lawmaker who voted against Gov. Gavin Newsom's bill that could punish oil refiners for making too much money has been stripped of a key legislative committee.

Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains confirmed in a statement to KCRA 3 on Thursday night that Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon removed her from the Assembly's Business and Professions Committee.

"While I am disappointed, I remain firm in my commitment to serve the interests of the people I was elected to represent," Bains said in a statement on Thursday. "I look forward to continuing to work with the Speaker and my colleagues to expand access to health care, provide good-paying jobs, and ensure our communities are safe."

Bains represents parts of Kern County, an epicenter of California's oil industry.

KCRA 3 reached out to Rendon Thursday afternoon to ask why Bains had been stripped of the committee. Rendon's office had not yet responded to the request for comment as of Thursday night.

The development comes days after lawmakers in the Assembly gave the final stamp of approval on Newsom's measure that pushes oil refiners to be more transparent about their business practices and empowers state regulators to punish the companies when they make too much money off California drivers.

Bains, who was the only Democratic Party lawmaker to vote no on the bill, tweeted that evening.

Newsom's chief of staff, Dana Williamson, replied.

When asked for comment, Newsom's office noted it has no role in deciding Assembly committee assignments.

"It looks like political hard ball," said NBC Political Director, Chuck Todd. "I think there's a danger when you start to punish people like that, you could end up alienating swing voters."

Todd said he anticipates seeing more public divides within California's democratic party, which holds a super majority in state government.

"I think you'll see more tension like this as you get more business interests who decide the Republican party is useless in California," Todd said. "In this case, they found someone in oil who represents someone who may be impacted by it job wise."

Todd said he's curious to see if party leaders will continue to be aggressive in creating a party machine that forces members to fall in line. "It's a slippery slope and usually leads to more problems than solutions," he said.

Bains serves on other committees in the Assembly. She is the leader of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee and is a member of the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and the Revenue and Taxation Committee.

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Lone Democrat who rejected Newsom's oil bill stripped of key committee - KCRA Sacramento