Come on Kids, Jump on the Walking Schoolbus

The subject of Senate Bill 315, as listed on its analysis, is: “Walking schoolbus.”

There’s not much more than that to the legislation, which is only a few paragraphs.

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 “THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.  Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 49310) is added to Chapter 8 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:

      Article 1.5.     Read more »

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Attention Lobbyist Golfers: The Next 30 Days

There’s an embarrassment of golfing opportunities in the next four weeks – provided mainly by legislators seeking campaign contributions.

If golf isn’t a passion there is also fishing, fighting and football although it’s a little late to sign up for Assemblyman Jared Huffman’s Sept. 18 “Striped Bass Fishing in the Delta”, $2,000-a-head fundraiser which starts at 7:00 AM at the Pittsburg Marina.    Read more »

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Best of Show: Top Prose, 2009 Legislative Session

(Editor’s Note: The following is the preamble to Senate Bill 318, which, as explicated below, would allow the seizure of property and assets of anyone convicted of any of the felonies listed in Section (a) of California Penal Code Section 597.5. The crimes enumerated in that code section are punished by a minimum of 16 months to a maximum of three years in prison or a fine of as much as $50,000.    Read more »

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Everyone Agrees — Organ Donations Uber Alles

Lest one believe the California Legislature is more discordant than a combination of Charles Ives, Dead space and the first two cuts on Bitches Brew, at least one measure was sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on a unanimous vote.

Apparently, expanding the ability of California drivers to make organ and tissue donations is an issue that transcends partisan politics.    Read more »

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Electronic Cigarettes: Are They A Menace to Minors?

(Editor’s Note: Thanks to Lacey Underall of E-Cig.org for her comment below clarifying that the bill mentioned in this post bans ALL sales of electronic cigarettes in California absent action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, not just sales to minors. This post has been changed accordingly.  Lacey also notes: “The bill also was changed so that ANY product that vaporizers nicotine is not allowed for sale in the state of California.    Read more »

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One of the End-of-Session Casualties

One of the casualties of the cat fighting and bickering that mark the close of every legislative session was a measure that would allow more Californian first-time homebuyers to receive tax credit.

The program was created when the budget for the current fiscal year was passed in February in legislation carried by GOP Sen.    Read more »

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California’s Capitol Rides Hard to Help Best Buddies at its Carmel-to-Hearst-Castle Cycling Challenge

California’s Capitol, both Sacramento and this site, were well represented September 12 at the Best Buddies Hearst Castle Challenge, a 100-mile charity bicycle ride down Highway 1 from Carmel Valley to San Simeon.

Each rider raises money for the organization, which helps persons with intellectual disabilities. The late Eunice Shriver and her son Anthony founded the non-profit in 1989.    Read more »

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Important Announcement

Jim Cassie of Capitol Strategies Group, says he will start a one-week “internship” at Tuli Bistro in Midtown (Sacramento) starting Monday, September 13.  

“Lobbying has been a great job, but there are other things I want to do with my life.  And I’ve always been interested in the cooking part of the restaurant business.”    Read more »

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A Few Issues Gov. Schwarzenegger Will Be Deciding

Among the decisions Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will make over the month after the 2009 legislative session ends September 11 are whether to allow 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, permit cities and counties to use street sweeper mounted cameras to nab parking violators and require health care providers and insurers to pay for breast pumps and lactation consultants.    Read more »

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Local Vehicle Registration Surcharge: Tax Or Fee?

One of the more interesting debates occurring on the Assembly September 10 centered on what constitutes a tax.

A bill, narrowly sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on a partisan 41 to 22 vote, would allow counties to continue assessing a $1 surcharge on vehicle registrations to help pay for vehicle theft prevention.    Read more »

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