Domestic Partners who transfer property between one another do not face a reevaluation of property tax level. Since we have domestic partnerships in this state, this is a fair change. You probably hate it because it doesn't use tax policy to punish behavior you look down upon be it an elderly domestic partner couple or homosexuals. Don't like "domestic partner" policy? Gather initiative signatures and get the votes.
• SB 973 by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) - Public employees' retirement: domestic partners.
Brings teacher retirement rules into compliance with domestic partner law. Yawn.
• AB 228 by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) - Transplantation services: human immunodeficiency virus.
This one bothers me since I don't know that HIV+ patients should be in the same transplantation league with non-HIV+ patients. I realize that isn't "fair" but an HIV patient's system is compromised thus putting a scarce and critical organ in their body over choosing a healthier patient's body is piss poor use of resources. I'll cop to being slandered as callous on this one.
• AB 1142 by Assemblymember Marvyn Dymally (D-Compton) - HIV/AIDS: African-Americans: statewide initiative.
Statistics show blacks aren't getting the message about AIDS. IMHO, it's a sub-culture issue having to do with machismo, aversion to condom use or masturbation and "down low" homosexual activities caused by strong anti-homosexual feeling. It isn't (just?) homosexual blacks but blacks overall not getting the message. I've no problem with efforts to target a group with education to avoid a costly and terminal health crisis. If it works it saves lives and saves health care dollars in the long term. If we can get blacks back into two-parent traditional families and away from the hip-hop "baby mamma" phenomena we could do them a lot of good and seriously reduce HIV's spread in that ethnic group.
• AB 1400 by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) - Civil Rights Act.
Yet another general anti-discrimination bill. Zzz.
Here is a sixth one. You like this one too?
SIGNED TODAY: AB 1586 by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) - Insurers: health care service plans: discrimination.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=2664
California Enacts Koretz Bill For Major Transgender Protections
By California Political Desk
September 29, 2005
(West Hollywood) – California became the first state in the nation to ban denials of insurance coverage based solely on a person’s transgender status when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation today authored by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood). AB 1586 adds gender and gender identity to existing anti-discrimination provisions in California laws regulating insurance companies and health care service plans. The new law will take effect January 1, 2006 and prohibits insurers and health plans from discriminating on the basis of gender identity in contracts and policies or in the provision of benefits or coverage.