Posted on 08/30/2005 10:08:59 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO - The Legislature acted on a wide range of bills Monday in its final two weeks, focusing on such diverse topics as paper trails for electronic voting machines, pocket bikes, e-mail spam, Internet hunting, teen drivers, Viagra and the governor's finances.
Taking direct aim at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Assembly Democrats passed a bill that would force politicians to disclose more detailed information about outside income.
Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-Mission Hills, said her AB 534 would close the loophole that would have allowed Schwarzenegger to earn money -- at least $1 million a year -- from a muscle magazine publisher without reporting the precise amount.
``That creates a serious problem and perception of abuse that any voter in the state of California would want closed,'' she said at a news conference touting the bill.
Severed financial ties
The governor ended the financial relationship after critics raised conflict-of-interest concerns. The magazines, Flex and Muscle & Fitness, derive most of their profits from companies advertising nutritional supplements. Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill last year that would have regulated the use of supplements among young athletes.
The bill would require public officials to report the name and description of any business activity that paid more than $10,000 -- or face a $5,000 fine.
Republican Party spokeswoman Karen Hanretty called the move a political stunt by Democrats.
``What they're doing,'' she said, ``is expending time and resources to promote legislation that they know cannot be passed by the end of the year.''
The bill moves to the Senate.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Norm, No man's life or property is safe while the legislature is in session. And that goes double in the People's Republic of Kalifornia.
All the more reason to make the legislature part-time. The do more work the last couple of weeks than they do all year.
Law makers get busy? This calls for an immediate, "Danger, Danger" alert.
I hope a public official stands up and says, "here, this is what I make and how I made it. So what? I earned it, I worked for, I didn't cheat to get or sell my position. You people are Communists who can't stand that someone is willing to WORK for their money."
Yeah, they're all so honest.
Who in their right mind would spend $2-3 mil for 2 year hitch @ $150k /yr ?
Right , a politician !
The legislature should meet for 6 months every two years. Three months to pass a two-year budget, 1 month for new laws, two months to delete old and unnecessary laws. Cut their salaries by 66.66% Staff and expenses to be in accordance with the new schedule.
ping, If I had time I would look up the bills.
..& require that the passage of any new law requires the repeal of (2) old laws.
I'll have some of that.
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