Free Republic

California businesses have been hit hard by this past legislative session. First, they have been forced to swallow a minimum wage increase and caps on industrial emissions of greenhouse gases as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seeks to bolster his centrist stance in an election year. Now, there are dozens of other bills on the governor’s desk that could impose additional costs on doing business in California. Meanwhile, only a handful of bills supported by business made it through. But it could have been worse. Dozens of other bills dubbed “job killers” were defeated in the closing weeks of the session. Among...

It's shaping up to be a good day for interest groups representing the business community, as Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes four bills that his news release pegs as "job killing." The proposals deal with everything from corporate taxes to on-the-job paycheck discrimination for women, to unemployment compensation. More than anything, they are alike in the fact that their opponents include some of the governor's long-time supporters in the business community, most notably the California Chamber of Commerce. "We must remain vigilant in improving our business climate," said Schwarzenegger in a written statement.

During the legislative session that ended Thursday, lawmakers sent hundreds of bills to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature or veto in the next 30 days. They include: Driver's licenses: Bill would allow California to issue driver's licenses for driving only, not for use as identification, to people who cannot prove they are in the country legally. (SB 1162 by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles) National popular vote: California would join a compact of states that agree to award their Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide, not the candidate who wins the most...

Under the amended bill, California residents essentially would pay their health insurance premiums, copays and deductibles into a state-funded health insurance program. Money the state spends on health care also would go into the new system. Her bill is opposed by the insurance industry and legislative Republicans, who have said it amounts socialized medicine. Schwarzenegger has said he opposes so-called single-payer health care systems.