Bill Would Allow CRA Funds to Be Used to Fight Drugs, Gangs

Local redevelopment agencies taxes could be used to fight drug abuse and gang-related violence in decaying downtown areas under legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles).

“Los Angeles and its surrounding communities have experienced a significant increase in gang warfare and illegal drug use,” Roberti said.

“It is clear that local government is strapped in financing the needed weapons to attack these crimes.”

Roberti’s legislation (SB 1330) was requested by Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Doctor Referrals: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 47-19 vote a bill (AB 819) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to prohibit doctors from referring patients to laboratories or clinics in which the physicians have a financial interest.

Shake Roofs: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 46-24 vote a bill (AB 2031) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) to ban the use of shake roof shingles that have not been treated with fire retardant on homes built after Jan. 1, 1993.

Students’ Firearms: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 70-0 vote a bill (AB 678) by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) to require a principal to immediately suspend and recommend for expulsion any public school student found with a firearm.

Attorney Sex: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 73-0 vote a bill (AB 1400) by Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles) to allow California State Bar disciplinary action against attorneys who demand sexual relations with a client in connection with professional legal representation.

Job Requirements: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-25 vote a bill (AB 845) by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Rancho San Diego) to require at least 50% of workers on state-financed public works projects to be California residents. California businesses also would be granted a 5% job bid preference.

Women in Business: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 54-14 vote a bill (AB 1488) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to create a council to hold public hearings, identify problems that women encounter in the business world, and encourage state and local aid for businesses owned by women.

Child-Care Providers: Passed and sent to the governor on a 47-26 vote a bill (AB 962) by Assemblywoman Deirdre Alpert (D-Del Mar) to require licensed child-care providers to have at least 15 hours of training in CPR and first aid procedures to deal with emergencies.

Bill Introductions

Truckers’ Hours: AB 2417 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would reduce the maximum driving time for intrastate truckers from 112 hours to no more than 70 hours in a period of seven consecutive days followed by a day off.

Dental Hygienists: AB 2353 by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-Los Banos) would allow a dental hygienist to practice such activities as taking X-rays and cleaning teeth without supervision of a dentist.

SENATE

Floor Action

Water Conservation: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-7 vote a bill (SB 1224) by Sen. Lucy Killea (I-San Diego) to require toilets sold or installed after Jan. 1, 1994, to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Urinals would have to use only a gallon of water or less.

Unicameral Legislature: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-12 vote a bill (SB 458) by Sen. Lucy Killea (I-San Diego) to set up a 40-member commission to study and recommend changes in the organization of the Legislature, including possibly merging the Assembly and Senate into a unicameral body.

Job Requirements: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-9 vote a bill (SB 739) by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) to require at least 50% of the work on state public works projects to be performed by California residents.

Committee Action

Tobacco Sales: The Appropriations Committee rejected a bill (SB 1099) by Sen. Nicholas C. Petris (D-Oakland) designed to curb the sale of tobacco products to minors by licensing sellers and suspending or revoking licenses for such sales. A 4-7 vote was cast on the measure.

Bill Introduction

Police Review Board: SB 1335 by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) would create a statewide police review board to investigate complaints filed against local law enforcement officers. This bill is an outgrowth of the Rodney G. King beating by police officers in Los Angeles.

Crime Victims: SCR 64 by Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) would designate April 15 as “Violent Crime Victims’ Memorial Day” and encourage citizens to observe it with prayers and ceremonies.