◼ Michelle Malkin: The California legislature is quietly pushing forward with a sweeping proposal to mandate that Gardasil — the vaccine marketed as a shield against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) — can be dispensed by the state to children as young as 12 without the permission of their parents.
...the legislation had been voted out of the state Senate Appropriations Committee by 6-3. There were no witnesses or testimony at the hearing. The bill, AB 499, had previously been suspended over cost concerns. Now, it is expected to head quickly to the Senate floor for a full vote this week and supporters believe Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown will sign it.
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
In California: Contempt for Voters in Senate Move on Amazon Tax
◼ The maneuver in the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday to undercut the referendum on the Amazon tax legislation is a glaring example of the contempt with which legislators hold the people's right of initiative and referendum. - Joel Fox at Fox & Hounds
...The process is an integral part of the checks and balances system giving the people control over their government. Clearly, some legislators don't want the voters making decisions at the ballot box on actions taken by the legislature.
Amazon.com challenged a new law that requires online retailers to collect sales tax. A referendum was filed to put the issue before the voters. According to the Los Angeles Times, signature gatherers "already are off the streets, having met their goal well before the Sept. 27 deadline for turning in completed petitions."
To foil this process, Senator Loni Hancock pulled what amounts to a parliamentary parlor trick by gutting a bill and substituting language similar to the wording in the original tax law calling the revised bill an "urgency" measure. The constitution declares that an urgency measure, which requires a two-thirds vote to pass, is immune to a referendum effort.
...The process is an integral part of the checks and balances system giving the people control over their government. Clearly, some legislators don't want the voters making decisions at the ballot box on actions taken by the legislature.
Amazon.com challenged a new law that requires online retailers to collect sales tax. A referendum was filed to put the issue before the voters. According to the Los Angeles Times, signature gatherers "already are off the streets, having met their goal well before the Sept. 27 deadline for turning in completed petitions."
To foil this process, Senator Loni Hancock pulled what amounts to a parliamentary parlor trick by gutting a bill and substituting language similar to the wording in the original tax law calling the revised bill an "urgency" measure. The constitution declares that an urgency measure, which requires a two-thirds vote to pass, is immune to a referendum effort.
Ken Zanzi appointed to the California Coastal Commission
Kenneth Zanzi, 67, of Fortuna, has been appointed to the California Coastal Commission representing the north coast region. He has been mayor pro tem of the city of Fortuna since 2010 and where he served as city councilmember from 2008 to 2010. Zanzi has owned Mad River Parkway Business Center since 1983. He worked for the Department of Fish and Game from 1965 to 1998 retiring as the deputy chief of the Wildlife Management Division. Zanzi is a member of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Zanzi is a Republican.
◼ GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTMENTS DECEMBER 31 2010
Related Post: ◼ Action Item: Send Letters of Support--Coastal Commission (UPDATED)
◼ GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTMENTS DECEMBER 31 2010
Related Post: ◼ Action Item: Send Letters of Support--Coastal Commission (UPDATED)
California News
◼ Brown Faces Challenge in Keeping Education Promises Californiawatch.org
Gov.-elect Jerry Brown will face substantial challenges in implementing may parts of his education platform, arguably the most detailed of any California governor in recent memory. The platform received little attention during the election campaign....
RELATED:
◼ Dire Straits - The State of California's Finances
◼ California's Unemployment Fund Has $10.3 Billion Deficit Sacramento Bee
California businesses already pay some of the highest unemployment taxes in the country - and the tab is likely to increase. The recession and the Legislature's decision years ago to raise benefits have drained the state unemployment insurance fund, which now has an estimated $10.3 billion deficit
◼ Happy Meal ban closer to reality in San Francisco latimesblogs
San Francisco's quickservice toy ban wins final approval
A proposal to ban toys from quickservice meals that don't meet certain calorie and nutritional standards gained final passage from San Francisco's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The board has enough votes to override Mayor Gavin Newsom's expected veto, which means the so-called "Happy Meal" ban would take effect next year.
Gov.-elect Jerry Brown will face substantial challenges in implementing may parts of his education platform, arguably the most detailed of any California governor in recent memory. The platform received little attention during the election campaign....
RELATED:
◼ Dire Straits - The State of California's Finances
◼ California's Unemployment Fund Has $10.3 Billion Deficit Sacramento Bee
California businesses already pay some of the highest unemployment taxes in the country - and the tab is likely to increase. The recession and the Legislature's decision years ago to raise benefits have drained the state unemployment insurance fund, which now has an estimated $10.3 billion deficit
◼ Happy Meal ban closer to reality in San Francisco latimesblogs
San Francisco's quickservice toy ban wins final approval
A proposal to ban toys from quickservice meals that don't meet certain calorie and nutritional standards gained final passage from San Francisco's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The board has enough votes to override Mayor Gavin Newsom's expected veto, which means the so-called "Happy Meal" ban would take effect next year.
Dire Straits - The State of California's Finances
◼ California’s Assorted Rocks and Hard Places - Victor Davis Hanson
News came out on Thursday that the California budget deficit is actually closer to $25 billion, twice what we are told. This follows from last year’s $42 billion shortfall, which was closed by all sorts of one-time tax increases and gimmicks. Here is our general dilemma in a nutshell.
◼ Calif borrows $40M a day to pay unemployment - sfgate.com
With one in every eight workers unemployed and empty state coffers, California is borrowing billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment insurance.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the state owes $8.6 billion already, and will have to come up with a $362-million payment to Washington by the end of next September.
◼ California's unemployment fund has deficit of $10.3 billion - mcclatchydc.com
◼ What does the market know about California's finances that the rest of us don't? - Doug Ross at The Journal
◼ Troubled California begins $14bn bond sale - Financial Times
LOCALLY:
◼ 'A horrible, horrible mess': State budget back in the red, lawmakers called to special session - Times-Standard
"It doesn't really make sense for a lame duck governor to be doing this,” said Noreen Evans, who next month will take the 2nd District State Senate seat currently held by Patricia Wiggins."... Evans said it might be time to hand off some state services to the county and city levels, where voters have been more open to passing tax increases.
North Coast Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, is on vacation and was not immediately available for comment Friday, according to his spokesman.
News came out on Thursday that the California budget deficit is actually closer to $25 billion, twice what we are told. This follows from last year’s $42 billion shortfall, which was closed by all sorts of one-time tax increases and gimmicks. Here is our general dilemma in a nutshell.
◼ Calif borrows $40M a day to pay unemployment - sfgate.com
With one in every eight workers unemployed and empty state coffers, California is borrowing billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment insurance.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the state owes $8.6 billion already, and will have to come up with a $362-million payment to Washington by the end of next September.
◼ California's unemployment fund has deficit of $10.3 billion - mcclatchydc.com
◼ What does the market know about California's finances that the rest of us don't? - Doug Ross at The Journal
◼ Troubled California begins $14bn bond sale - Financial Times
LOCALLY:
◼ 'A horrible, horrible mess': State budget back in the red, lawmakers called to special session - Times-Standard
"It doesn't really make sense for a lame duck governor to be doing this,” said Noreen Evans, who next month will take the 2nd District State Senate seat currently held by Patricia Wiggins."... Evans said it might be time to hand off some state services to the county and city levels, where voters have been more open to passing tax increases.
North Coast Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, is on vacation and was not immediately available for comment Friday, according to his spokesman.
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