State Senators Count Rhetorical Budget Coup

After hours of often repetitive rhetoric, the Senate approved eight bills on June 10 aimed at balancing the budget but failed to win enough votes for a measure to extend $9.4 billion in taxes set to expire this year.

Among the measures passed was what lawmakers called “Budget Jr.,” a 575-page bill, AB 98, that amends the previous spending plan lawmakers approved in March.    Read more »

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Of Flat Sheets and Short-Handled Mops

Hotels and motels would be required to use fitted sheets and long-handled mops under legislation sent to the Assembly by the Senate on a party line 25 to 15 vote.

Supporters say fitted sheets will prevent housekeepers from injuring themselves by lifting heavy mattresses to tuck in sheets. Long-handled mops will prevent cleaning bathrooms on hands and knees.    Read more »

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Assembly Votes To Extend Tax Credit for In-State Film Production

In a rare showing of bipartisanship, the Assembly on May 31 voted to extend an existing tax credit for the film industry for an additional five years.

The California Motion Picture Tax Credit is set to expire in 2014. The bill – AB 1069 – keeps the credit in place through 2019.    Read more »

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Pedal to the Metal, Good Buddy

Big Rigs and cars with trailers would be able to thunder along a 120-mile stretch of Interstate 5 at 65 mph instead of the current 55 mph under a bill approved May 27 by the state Senate.

The measure, SB 333 by Sen. Doug LaMalfa, a Butte Republican, is aimed at reducing truck congestion from Woodland, 20 miles north of Sacramento, to Cottonwood, some 15 miles south of Redding.    Read more »

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Bill Creating New Socially Responsible Corporation Passed by the Assembly

California would allow a new type of corporation in which part of its mission is to improve society and the environment under legislation approved May 26 by the state Assembly.

The measure, AB 361 by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, a San Rafael Democrat, creates “benefit corporations,” which would add social responsibility to shareholder interests and fiduciary decision-making.    Read more »

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Is This New Law Really Necessary?

A bill moving through the Legislature would make it be a misdemeanor punishable with a $5,000 fine, up to one year in jail or both if an auto repair dealer fails to fully repair or replace a deployed airbag.

It already is a misdemeanor.

Sponsored by the Center for Auto Safety and the Certified Automotive Parts Association, the bill, SB 869, was approved by the 40-member state Senate on a 38 to 1 vote on May 19.    Read more »

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Is This Proposed Law Really Needed?

Passed by the Assembly and pending in the Senate is legislation that asks the state Department of General Services to “consider” some additional factors in their siting of state buildings.

The four-paragraph measure, AB 324 by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, a San Ramon Democrat,, does not “direct” or say the department “shall,” it just seeks consideration of the availability of transit areas where the building’s employees live and the location of those who would be served by the building’s offices.    Read more »

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The Author, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, Is Silent As To What the Mushrooms Are Fed

MUSHROOM ALERT – A Week of Action Outside the Capitol and Continued Inaction on Reforms Inside the Capitol

I only issue a Mushroom Alert on very rare occasions and generally only when I believe that you are being left in the dark, or need to be promptly informed of what is (or is not?)    Read more »

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At Last The Mystery is Over — California Decides What Constitutes a “Hot Dog”

California will define what a “hot dog” is in legislation moving through the Senate.

If approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, California’s food safety code will say a hot dog is:

“A whole, cured, cooked sausage that is skinless or stuffed in a casing and that is also known as a frankfurter, frank, further, wiener, red hot, Vienna, bologna, garlic bologna, or knockwurst, and that may be served in a bun or roll.”    Read more »

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From the Desk of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones…

A few weeks ago we asked you to help pass AB 52 to give me the authority to reject excessive health insurance rate increases.

The hearing on AB 52 in the Assembly Health Committee was then postponed to Tuesday, April 26th.  The vote will be this Tuesday.  We need you to call members of the Assembly Health Committee  before the hearing.    Read more »

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