A Few Issues Gov. Schwarzenegger Will Be Deciding

Among the decisions Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will make over the month after the 2009 legislative session ends September 11 are whether to allow 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, permit cities and counties to use street sweeper mounted cameras to nab parking violators and require health care providers and insurers to pay for breast pumps and lactation consultants.

The voting measure, AB 30, allows 17 year-olds to register to vote with the registration becoming effective on their 18^th birthday.

If signed into law, the ability to pre-register would not become effective until the Secretary of State’s office has a new voter database that complies with the federal Help America Vote Act. The system is supposed to be operational statewide by the end of 2011.

Supporters argue that pre-registration and early involvement in the political process is more likely to create a lifelong voter. Opponents contend it imposes an additional burden on local governments.

Depending on how many cities and counties avail themselves of it, drivers who leave their cars parked where they shouldn’t be on street sweeping days will be more likely to pay for their mistake if AB 1336 is signed into law.

The bill would allow local governments to install automated cameras on street sweepers to photograph parking scofflaws.

Like the cameras that log red-light runners, the sweeper-made photos would then be used to cite the driver.

Chicago and Washington D.C. have recently begun using automated “SweeperCom” systems. The California program would end January 1, 2015 unless future legislation extends the program’s life. 

Arguing that breast-feeding creates healthier babies, Assemblyman Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat, would require health care plan coverage include hiring lactation consultants and breast pump rentals.

Health care providers and the state Chamber of Commerce oppose the measure, AB 513, because it is a mandate they say will increase the already high costs of health care.

Health Net, an opponent of the bill, says it already covers breast pumps rentals as part of its coverage. The company asserts that women already receive lactation consultation, usually from nurses either at the hospital or at their pediatrician’s office and that is sufficient.

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