Senate Committee Backs Full Tax Credit for All Renters

A Senate committee has approved legislation to restore the full income tax credit for renters that was reduced during the recent state budget-balancing battle.

A 6-2 vote sent the bill (AB 399) by Assemblyman Mike Gotch (D-San Diego) from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Appropriations Committee.

The measure would restore the tax credit for all renters to $60 for individuals and $120 for married couples. Since July, only individuals making less than $20,500 a year and couples earning less than $41,000 a year qualify for the credit.

“The majority of Californians are renters,” Gotch said. “They should not have to bear the brunt of the state’s budget deficit problem.”

An estimated 12 million Californians rent rather than own homes, a Gotch aide said.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Water Meters: Passed and sent to the governor on a 47-16 vote a bill (SB 229) by Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord) to require water meters to be installed on all new houses after Jan. 1, 1992.

Police: Passed and sent to the Senate on a voice vote a resolution (ACR 67) by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) urging the mayor of Los Angeles, the City Council, Police Commission, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, and the department itself to adopt and implement the recommendations of the Christopher Commission. The commission report was sparked by the Rodney G. King beating case.

Newspapers: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 73-0 vote a bill (AB 23X) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to repeal a new state sales tax imposed on free newspapers and periodicals.

Committee Action

RU-486: The Rules Committee approved a resolution (AJR 40) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) asking President Bush and the Congress to choose California as the site for research on the controversial French abortion pill RU-486. A 7-2 vote sent the resolution to the Assembly floor.

Hate Crimes: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (SB 98) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to increase penalties for hate crimes committed against victims solely because of their race, religion or sexual orientation. A 23-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

SENATE

Floor Action

Pickup Trucks: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on 24-6 vote a bill (AB 178) by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) to prohibit people from riding in the back of a pickup truck unless the space is enclosed or equipped to secure them to the vehicle.

Abortions: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on a 22-10 vote a resolution (AJR 10) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) asking the federal government to provide abortion services to women who receive Medicaid, American Indian women, Peace Corps volunteers, federal employees and their dependents, military personnel and their dependents, and women incarcerated in federal prisons.

Indian Remains: Passed and sent to the governor on a 34-1 vote a bill (AB 12) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) declaring that Indian skeletal remains being kept in museums and warehouses should be returned to the descendants.

Committee Action

King Beating: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 1114) by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles) to require law enforcement officers to report witnessed physical abuse of suspects. The measure stems from the beating of Rodney G. King by Los Angeles police officers. A 7-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Battered Women: The Judiciary Committee also approved a bill (AB 785) by Assemblyman Gerald R. Eaves (D-Rialto) to allow testimony regarding battered women’s syndrome to be introduced as a defense in criminal cases. An 11-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.

Capital Fact

Ninety-five percent of U.S. wine exports come from California.