Posted on 08/28/2005 10:09:16 AM PDT by SmithL
SACRAMENTO - California lawmakers shift into high gear this week as they try to finish work on hundreds of bills, including measures to legalize gay marriages, raise the minimum wage and allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.
Legislators are scheduled to wrap up their 2005 session next week, and most of the biggest bills of the year and dozens of less significant ones still need final votes. Both the Assembly and Senate plan long sessions between now and Sept. 9, the last day they're scheduled to meet this year.
Here are some of the issues still on lawmakers' agendas:
_ GAY MARRIAGE: Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, wouldn't give up after his bill allowing gay marriages was narrowly rejected by the Assembly in June. He amended the defeated measure's provisions into another one of his bills that had already reached the Senate.
If that amended legislation passes the Senate, Leno will get another chance to look for a few more votes in the Assembly.
_ DRIVER'S LICENSES: Another persistent lawmaker, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, is making his fifth attempt in seven years to enact legislation allowing illegal immigrants to get California driver's licenses.
Cedillo said having those motorists tested and licensed would improve highway safety. He hopes the latest version of his legislation will satisfy security concerns raised by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vetoed similar legislation last year.
This year's bill, which is on the Assembly floor, would require that the licenses have a different color or design than licenses issued to other drivers, and they would not be widely recognized as valid identification documents.
_ MINIMUM WAGE: Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Santa Clara, is trying again to raise California's minimum wage, which has lagged behind inflation and minimum wages in other West Coast states.
Her bill, which is on the Senate floor, would raise the wage $1 an hour, to $7.75, and then raise it each year starting in 2008 to keep up with inflation. Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation last year.
_ SOLAR POWER: Schwarzenegger is backing a bill by Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Culver City, that would try to promote a surge in the use of solar power by offering subsidies to home and business owners that install solar panels. The bill, which is on the Assembly floor, lost some Republican support when it was amended to set wage standards for workers who install the panels on businesses. Schwarzenegger's aides haven't said if that weakens the governor's support for the bill.
_ GRADUATION EXAM: Unless there's a change, high school seniors will be required to pass a state exam to graduate, starting next year. Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, has a bill in the Senate that would allow school officials to use other methods of evaluation such as grades or assignments to gauge whether a student who fails the test qualifies for a diploma.
_ PERFORMANCE FACILITIES: Another Murray bill would allow a state economic development agency, the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, to operate and issue bonds to pay for stadiums, arenas and other public entertainment facilities. Murray said the bill would fill a hole left by the inability or unwillingness of local governments to pay for the facilities. It's on the Assembly floor.
_ SMOKING: Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, has a bill that would require cigarettes sold in California to be designed to go out when they're not being puffed, a standard that he says will prevent fires and deaths. It's on the Senate floor. Meanwhile, the Assembly has a bill by Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, that would require health insurance plans that include prescription coverage to also cover stop-smoking programs.
Senators will also take confirmation votes on several of Schwarzenegger's appointees, including Cynthia Tuck, who was named by the governor in June to head the state's Air Resources Board. Tuck, an attorney and professional engineer, is opposed by environmentalists.
"She has spent her career lobbying on behalf of big polluters and has opposed many of the advances in air quality that the ARB is in charge of carrying out," said Bill Magavern, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club.
Business groups are lobbying for approval of Tuck, whose nomination will be considered Wednesday by the Senate Rules Committee.
California is going down the drain. All of these proposals are socialist projects.
Sure, they weigh the bills, but do they read them?
That would be everybody who paid sales taxes.
Your reminder of his ignorance will not lead him to a personal epiphany nor cause him to stop shooting from the hip because of the consequent embarrassment it creates. The approach will only cause him more frustration, which leads to more anger creating more dependence on the effacing cloak of party membership.
It's the same logic that created the "pass word question" solution to the forgotten password.
I did no such thing. I said, "You are probably right," regarding your admonishment that such was unproductive toward changing their thinking. Such is not my goal.
Your reminder of his ignorance will not lead him to a personal epiphany nor cause him to stop shooting from the hip because of the consequent embarrassment it creates.
Frankly, I don't think such capable of either embarrassment or redirection; they're too arrogant and too busy sucking up to the hierarchy to develop independent thought, but it might just get them to cut and run when I show up. They often do. :-)
The approach will only cause him more frustration, which leads to more anger creating more dependence on the effacing cloak of party membership.
I want this ilk to avoid this forum and its eeeevil conservative intellectuals entirely, instead of dominating FR threads with their cheerleading, sniping, and character assassination devoid of factual support. Allowing them to rant convinces lurking party wigs that conservatives are stupid sheep to be cowed easily and deprives lurkers of ammunition. So (seeing as nobody is knocking down my door for political consultation services I would probably do for free), I just go for what seems appropriate.
Just one more time, please, please, PLEEEEASE?
I just can't help it... sob!
Why would anyone cut and run when you show up?
The substance of your ideas makes incredibly good sense.
You should run for office so more can hear you publically.
Change "paid" to "filed" and I agree.
I'd ask at the very least, for the same ID any retail store requires for accepting checks.
Change "paid" to "filed" and I agree.
I'd ask at the very least, for the same ID any retail store requires for accepting checks.
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