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SEPTEMBER 2007
IN THIS ISSUE Toxic Toys Bill Passes the Senate and Heads to the Governor's Desk Name Equality Act Passes Senate and Receives Bipartisan Support in the Assembly |
BREAKING NEWS: Toxic Toys Bill Passes the Senate and Heads to the Governor's Desk
I am proud to announce that on September 4, my first major piece of landmark legislation, a ban of toxic chemicals called "phthalates" in products intended for young children under the age of 3, was sent to the Governor for signing. This bill took a lot of hard work to overcome the extensive efforts of chemical corporation lobbyists who pulled out the stops to try to kill this legislation. The bill narrowly passed through the Senate without a vote to spare, carrying a final bipartisan vote of 21-18. If the Governor signs this common-sense measure, California will join 14 countries in the European Union as well as both Canada and Mexico in removing products with phthalates from the shelves of toy stores. The Governor has 30 days from the date of this bill's passage to veto it or let it become law. I strongly encourage those of you who are passionate about stopping the exposure of our state's young children to harmful chemicals to write or call the governor and tell him to sign this bill. To do this, please visit the Governor's website at http://gov.ca.gov/interact#contact and call his office at 916-445-2841.
Name Equality Act Passes Senate and Receives Bipartisan Support in the Assembly Today, a subtle prejudice exists within our state's bureaucracy in the fact that official marriage licenses only have a place for a woman to change her last name at the time of marriage or domestic partnership. As I found out from the case of a Southern California resident, Michael Buday who wished to change his last name to fit that of his wife's, the process to actually do so was difficult and cost much more money than simply getting a marriage license. This subtle discrimination extends to gay couples who wish to enter into a domestic partnership: the mere act of trying to change one partner's last name requires one to go through the courts, pay several fees, and publish the name change in a newspaper for four weeks. This red tape is needless and represents a modern form of discrimination. Due to this antiquated law, I decided to write Assembly Bill 102 to do away with this practice and allow either spouse/partner in a marriage/domestic partnership to change their last name at the time of union. This can save spouses and partners time and a headache from dealing with the courts and paying for an add in a newspaper. This bill had some bipartisan support and is currently sitting on the Governor's desk for signature. Healthcare Reform Battle Heats up in State Capitol
As an ardent supporter and co-author of Senate Bill 840, the single-payer universal healthcare bill, I have been disappointed that this bill has been vetoed every time it has gotten to the Governor's desk. Unfortunately, it simply will not get the support of Governor Schwarzenegger no matter how many times we vote to send it to him. Because of the rejection of SB 840 by the Governor, I voted on a bill with a better chance of being signed by the Governor, Assembly Bill 8 authored by the Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata. AB 8 is an achievable way to cover 69% of the uninsured in our state, and will ensure that all kids are covered. At the same time, this bill will keep costs affordable and helping low income working families pay their premiums. This reform measure is a step in the right direction to addressing our state's healthcare crisis. As a legislature, we have been forced to decide between doing nothing to help our state's uninsured and taking a step in the right direction. AB 8 had the support of most of the same groups who supported SB 840 because it will provide insurance to our state's residents and take steps towards a comprehensive plan. Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger promised to veto this bill as well and called for a special legislative session to create a comprehensive medical insurance plan for California. I look forward to representing those of you in this special session who believe that health care should be a right for all Californians and not simply a privilege for the wealthy. Besides these crucial bills that have recently made it to Governor's desk, the end of the Legislative session has brought success with other bills I wrote. Some of these are: AB 101-Muni Cameras Bill: This bill will help stop inconsiderate people from double parking in the"Muni" lanes. Double parked cars create slower commute times. This bill will allow "Muni" buses to have cameras on the front and ticket those who have violated the parking law. This will help keep buses running on schedule by freeing up the "Muni" lanes for their intended purpose. AB 182-IHSS Training Standards: This bill will require counties to develop training standards for In-Home Supportive Service workers to ensure that those who help our most vulnerable have been trained in advance. AB 402-Foster Care Tax Cleanup: This bill will help foster children by allowing them to have "child" status during real estate transactions. Currently, they are treated as strangers during these transactions. AB 649-Minimum Wage Hike for Jockeys: This bill will provide for a much needed hike in minimum wage to those participating in one of the world's most dangerous sports. Jockeys have only received a 5% raise in the last 20 years and some make below the federal poverty level. 13th Annual Sunset Community Festival will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Sunset Playground on 28th Avenue and Lawton from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. for this ideal opportunity to celebrate and share information about our community. For more information please contact Susan Suval, 415-665-5579 or email sunsetfestival@sbcglobal.net The Irish Immigration Pastoral Center Presents Sports Day on Sunday, September 23 in Lindley Meadow at Golden Gate Park from Noon until 5 pm. The AIA Gems of the City Bicycle Tour will be on Sunday, September 30 from 11 am until noon. Green architect David Baker will lead this tour based on the city's top 25 buildings chosen by the American Institute of Architects SF chapter. We'll visit some of the most significant and beautiful religious, residential, commercial, historic and civil buildings in SF. Please see AIA SF website for details: www.aiasf.org Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary On October 4th, 2007 at their Get Jazzed for the Next Generation festival. The event will take place at the Fort Mason Conference Center from 5:00pm-8:00pm. This event promises to be a fun-filled evening with lively jazz entertainment, mouth-watering hors d' oeuvres, and inspiring stories from local and national heroes in child advocacy. The group's goal is to advocate on behalf of children and parents to government in order to ensure protection of children's services. For more information and to buy your ticket, please visit www.colemanadvocates.org. The 2007 Hardly Bluegrass Festival will take place on October 6th from 11 am until 5 pm at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park. For more information, please visit www.hardlybluegrass.com Horizons Foundation will hold a festive and elegant celebration of your LGBT community on October 6 from 7-10 pm in the Regency Center. For 27 years, Horizons Foundation has served the LGBT community in the Bay Area by making grants, strengthening LGBT organizations and leadership, and increasing philanthropic giving. For more info, please visit www.horizonsfoundation.org The Bay Area Chinese Community Parade will take place on October 6 from 9 am until 1 pm in Union Square in San Francisco. The parade is in honor of the Republic of China. A presentation about "Women and Long Term Care" will take place on Thursday, October 11th from 7 pm - 9 pm, at the Hiram Johnson State Building Auditorium, 455 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco. Speakers at this event will include: Wendy Boglioli, Olympic Gold Medal Champion and Long Term Care National Spokesperson for Genworth Financial, Brenda Bufford from the CA Department of Health Services, and Jackie Speier, former State Senator. The event is free. For more information, please call UCSF Women's Health Resource Center at (415) 353-2668, or email whrc@ucsfmedctr.org. Snacks and light refreshments will be served. The Strides for Life Colon Cancer Foundation Presents its "Get your Rear in Gear" 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, October 14 starting at 7:30 am. Strides for life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of colon cancer. The mission includes programs of public education, wide scale screening initiatives, and risk reduction strategies directed toward populations at risk. For more info, to help fundraise, to donate, or to volunteer: www.stridesforlife.org or call (650) 588-6390.
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