Yet Another Legislative Attempt to Increase Disclosure in Florist Advertising

For the fifth time in 13 years, California lawmakers are trying to outlaw “absentee florists.”

The almost perennial measure – this year’s version carried by Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski — would prevent a florist from misrepresenting the location of their business.

The problem the Fremont Democrat bill aims to solve is that consumers can call a florist using their city or neighborhood in its name, which is actually a call center, located hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Under Wieckowski’s bill, AB 1581, florists using a local phone number or a local name must include their address – both in print, electronic and [....]

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Apparently Nothing Is Sacred

Sales of the headstones, memorial plaques funerary urns or markers of veterans would be prohibited without state permission, under legislation passed unanimously by the Assembly January 30.

The bill – AB 1225 by Assemblyman Paul Cook, a Yucaipa Republican – is aimed at deterring thefts of memorial plaques for scrap and the sale of grave markers on the antique market.

“Its very, very sad that somebody that has fought for their country (has) their cemetery site is disturbed so somebody can grab a gravestone or marker and make money off of it,” Cook told his colleagues.

Cook’s bill is modeled after a recently [....]

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Statement from Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg

WOODLAND HILLS, CA – Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg released the following statement (January 30) regarding the race for California’s new 27thState Senate District.

“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to pursue a campaign for the State Senate.

“I believe the extraordinary challenges we face in California can best be met with big ideas and independent voices. Pursuing a partisan campaign at this time would inevitably distract from my top priority – reforming our government to better serve its citizens. As such, I look forward to helping lead the joint initiative campaign by California Forward and The Think Long Committee to bring accountability to California’s budget process, [....]

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Another Try at Restricting Picketing at Funerals

California is taking a second cut at trying to prevent picketers from adding to the grief of families at the funerals of loved ones.

The state Senate sent the Assembly on a unanimous vote, a bill that would require protesters to stay 500 feet away from one hour before until one hour after a funeral service.

Not doing so would be a misdemeanor.

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a measure last fall to halt such protests, saying it ran afoul of a US Supreme Court ruling.

The new bill, SB 661, is by Sen. Ted Lieu, a Torrance Democrat, who also authored the [....]

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“…Twisted By Those Who Would Use His Name for Their Own Political Gain.”

(Editor’s Note: Donnelly is a Republican from Hesperia. He was detained and cited at Ontario International Airport on January 4  for trying to board a plane with a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage.)

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Making the Rounds in the Capitol January 9 — Those Crazy Legislative Cut-Ups, What Wackiness Will They Dream Up Next?

The bill the lemon advertises — AB 1455 by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, a Laguna Niguel Republican — would prohibit the issuance of unencumbered debt to construct a high speed rail project. Sen. Doug LaMalfa, a Butte Republican and ardent critic of the project has already signed on as principal co-author. Up to $9.96 billion in state debt is currently authorized by the 2008 bond measure approved by voters.

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Gender Identity Versus Recorded Gender in Public Schools

Public school students would be allowed to participate in sex-segregated school activities based on their gender identity rather than the gender listed on their records, under legislation pending in the Assembly.

Following the logic, that means a  male pupil, whose gender identity is female, could then, potentially, play on the woman’s field hockey team.

One opponent claims the five-paragraph bill would allow boys to use girl’s locker rooms and bathrooms as well — starting in elementary school.

The conservative Capitol Resources Institute sent an e-mail warning January 6 about the bill — AB 266, by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco [....]

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Dr. Linda Halderman and Medi-Cal

In her official biography, Assemblywoman Linda Halderman says she closed the doors of her Selma medical practice that she opened in 2003 primarily because of the low reimbursement rate by Med-Cal, the state’s health care system for the poor.

Sixteen miles south east of Fresno, Selma, population 22,846, is 78 percent Latino with a median income of $43,683 – nearly $16,000 lower than the statewide median. 

“Over 90 percent of the patients in my practice were women being evaluated and treated for breast cancer who were either uninsured or under-insured by Medi-Cal or the state’s breast cancer program,” the Fresno Republican said in an interview.

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A Closer Look at the One ‘Job Killer’ Bill Signed by Jerry Brown

Of the five bills branded “job killers” by the California Chamber of Commerce that reached his desk, Gov Jerry Brown signed one.

The bill prevents employers – except financial institutions – from using a credit report to determine whether to hire or promote someone.

Exceptions to the prohibition include managerial slots, peace officers and positions involving access to money or confidential information. Backers of the bill, the California Federation of Labor the chief one, say employer use of credit reports in evaluating job applicants has increased from significantly from simply banks and financial service companies.

In 1998, 25 percent of employers researched the credit [....]

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Piezoelectric Public Works Possibilities

An attempt to use the vibrations of vehicles on California’s streets and highways to generate electricity was among the legislation vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The bill would have ordered the California Energy Commission to pay for research on piezoelectric technology to determine if it could efficiently create power for call boxes, roadside lights and other electrical needs.

Certain materials like crystals and ceramics generate an electrical charge when they’re pressed or squeezed. That’s piezoelectricity. It’s the foundation of sonar – thin quartz crystals between metal plates send out a sound and measure distance by the time it takes the [....]

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