Torres Proposes State-Run Airline to Fight High Fares

Unhappy with intrastate air fares? Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) has introduced a bill that would create a state-run airline to provide low-cost competition for the private air carriers.

Torres said his bill (SB 2900) is a response to consumer complaints about high airline fares between such cities as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento. He called it an outrage that, for example, air travelers between Los Angeles and Sacramento--of whom Torres is one--have to pay up to $576 for a round-trip ticket.

“This fare-gouging inhibits the natural flow of commerce and tourist travel and presents barriers to citizen participation in government,” the Senator said.

His measure would establish a nonprofit state corporation financed by revenues from transporting passengers, baggage and freight between major California cities.

The legislative analyst’s office has been asked to prepare a detailed report on a proposed state-run airline by July 1. GOVERNOR

Issued a proclamation designating April 22-28 as California Consumers Week. ASSEMBLY Floor Action

Telephones: Passed 50-14 and sent to the Senate a bill (AB 2889) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) that would prevent telephone companies from raising the cost of calls within communities where phone service areas are divided by the addition of new area codes. “A local call before the area code split will remain a local call after the area code split,” Moore said. She said the measure was prompted by the creation of a new area code--310--in the Los Angeles area.

Sales Tax: Passed 44-27 and sent to the Senate a bill (AB 3670) by Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) to permit counties to impose a 1/2-cent sales tax increase with voter approval of only a simple majority rather than a two-thirds majority.

More Taxes: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 61-2 vote a constitutional amendment (ACA 3) by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) to allow the Legislature to increase the homeowners’ property tax exemption from $7,000 upwards on a sliding scale basis for home buyers who change homes, depending on when the home was purchased.

Women: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 45-26 vote a bill (AB 2678) by Assemblywoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) declaring it to be official state policy that the percentage of women on appointed boards and commissions accurately reflects the percentage of women in the state’s population.

Parks: Passed and returned to the Senate for concurrence in Assembly amendments on a 64-0 vote a bill (SB 752) by Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose) asking for a state study on allowing people over 62 years old to obtain park use passes at a reduced cost.

Police: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 53-0 vote a bill (AB 2692) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) to require anyone over 18 to come to the aid of a nonuniformed law enforcement officer who requests such aid and shows an official badge. Capital Fact There are more than 200 accredited members of the Capitol Correspondents Assn., who keep a collective eye on the 120-member state Legislature and inform the public about its activities.