Torres’ Proposal for State-Run Airline Crashes, Burns in Vote

Sen. Art Torres’ ambitious plan to put the state of California in the business of running a passenger airline crashed on the runway in the Legislature.

Spawned by what the Los Angeles Democrat deplored as “outrageous” commercial air fares and inconvenient schedules, his bill (SB 2900) received only 13 favorable votes of the 27 required for approval by the Senate. Twenty-one senators voted no.

From the outset, the notion of a state-operated airline, flying primarily between Sacramento and Southern California, was given little chance of becoming law, particularly in the face of heavy opposition from the influential airline lobby.

At the state Capitol, the Torres proposal was regarded chiefly as a device to prod the airlines into cutting back on fares and adopting more convenient schedules in California. The proposal for a nonprofit, state-operated airline suggested less costly and more passenger-oriented air travel.

“We’re suckers for the airline industry,” Torres told the Senate. “It’s time California raised its eyebrows and said enough is enough.”

But an opponent, freshman Sen. Charles Calderon (D-Whittier), told Torres that while “it’s cute to discuss the issue . . . we ought to consider addressing some of the more serious problems facing the state.” ASSEMBLY Floor Action

U.S. Flag: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 48-14 vote a resolution (AJR 97) by Assemblyman Norm Waters (D-Plymouth) requesting Congress to propose a constitutional amendment for ratification by the states to outlaw the desecration of the U.S. flag.

Pesticide Research: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-22 vote a bill (AB 4161) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to establish a center for pesticide research within the University of California to come up with alternatives for malathion and other chemicals now in common use.

Health Insurance: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-27 vote a bill (AB 3364) by Assemblyman Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) to set up a health insurance guarantee fund to pay off claims of policyholders of bankrupt firms.

Student Teams: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 41-29 vote a bill (AB 4134) by Assemblyman Pete Chacon (D-San Diego) to set up two-year mother/daughter student team projects at San Diego State and Cal State Los Angeles.

Credit Cards: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 44-12 vote a bill (AB 2920) by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-Los Banos) to prohibit merchants from asking for telephone numbers on credit card slips. These phone numbers are sometimes later sold to advertising lists.

Looting: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 65-1 vote a bill (AB 3894) by Assemblyman William Filante (R-Greenbrae) to declare as a state crime any act of looting during a state of emergency such as an earthquake or flood.

Garage Door Openers: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 48-18 vote a bill (AB 3600) by Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) to establish safety standards for automatic garage door openers to prevent people from being accidentally crushed by them. SENATE Floor Action

Rental Deposits: Rejected on a 21-10 vote a bill (SB 1755) by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) to require landlords to pay 5% annual interest on tenant security deposits of $50 or more that are held for at least one year.

Governor: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-12 vote a proposed ballot measure (SCA 40) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to require the governor to appear before the Senate three times a year to answer members’ questions. The measure was amended to delete a requirement that legislators also conduct public forums in their districts three times a year to answer constituents’ questions. Miscellany

“I want you to know that it isn’t easy these days to get a state legislator to tour the inside of a prison--at least not voluntarily,” said Senate Majority Leader Barry Keene (D-Benicia) after walking through the newly opened Pelican Bay state prison near Crescent City with Gov. George Deukmejian. Former Sen. Joseph Montoya (D-Whittier) recently was sentenced to serve 6 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of Capitol political corruption charges.

Capital Fact

The Assembly has 25 standing committees and the Senate 24 standing committees that conduct public hearings and accept testimony for and against proposed legislation before it is sent to the respective house floors.