Late CA Budget – With the state budget now more than a month overdue, one might presume a sense of urgency would be growing among CALIFORNIA lawmakers to knuckle down and get a deal done. That presumption would be wildly incorrect. While top legislative leaders make noise about working a deal, the Sacramento Bee reports that the rest of both houses of the Golden State Legislature have gone on vacation until August 4th – several days past when pretty much everyone involved admits the state will begin to run into serious cash flow problems. That has clearly irked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who took pains last week to note that he always turns in his own budget proposals on time. “I can only get the horse to the water, but I can’t make it drink,” Schwarzenegger lamented.
Proposition 8 – Slim majority of California voters would uphold gay marriage, poll finds — The survey shows that 51% of 672 likely voters oppose Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and woman. Jessica Garrison and Dan Morain in the Los Angeles times.
The CALIFORNIA Supreme Court ruled unanimously last week that a voter initiative to reinstate a ban on same-sex marriage should remain on the November ballot, rejecting arguments that the initiative, Proposition 8, was an illegal revision of the state Constitution and that voters who’d signed petitions to place it on the ballot were misled. The decision comes just two months after the court struck down the ban.
Ports and Air Pollution – The CALIFORNIA Assembly approved legislation (SB 974) last week that would impose a $60 fee on all shipping containers going through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. The $400 million generated annually from the charge would be used to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution caused by the ports, which handle over 40 percent of the goods shipped throughout the country. The measure was headed back to the Senate for final approval
Banning Trans Fats - The CALIFORNIA Assembly gives final approval to AB 97, which would make the Golden State the first in the nation to ban restaurants and other food facilities from using trans fats in their products. Trans fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, have been connected to heart disease and other illnesses. The measure now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for review
Health Care -The CALIFORNIA Assembly approves AB 1155, a measure that would allow the state to penalize health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations that are found to regularly underpay their bills to doctors and other specialists. The bill goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for consideration
Filed under: California, Public policy , California, California budget, California legislation, California politics, gay marriage, port pollution, tans fat regulation
