Assembly to Weigh $1-Billion College Bond Issue for Ballot

A $1-billion higher education bond issue to build community colleges, state colleges and a University of California campus has been introduced in the state Assembly.

If approved by the Legislature, the bond issue would appear on the November, 1994, general election ballot for voters’ consideration.

Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-San Jose), the author of the enabling measure (AB 163), said, “Even though the state is facing tough economic times, we must continue to plan for new higher education institutions. If we do not, we will lose California’s best and brightest students to other states.”

Areias wants a new University of California campus in the San Joaquin Valley and a new state college at Ft. Ord in Monterey County, which is scheduled to be closed as a military installation.

ASSEMBLY

Committee Action

Disability Insurance: The Finance and Insurance Committee approved a bill (SB 4) by Sen. Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) to require California employers to withhold another $514 million over two years to restore solvency to the worker disability insurance fund that covers non-work-related injuries. A 9-2 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Introductions

Pickup Trucks: AB 153 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) would prohibit people from riding in the beds of open pickup trucks unless they are secured with a restraint system.

Rent Control: AB 157 by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) would prohibit cities and counties from adopting or enforcing rent-control ordinances for residential property.

Sick Leave: AB 158 by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would require employers who provide sick leave for their employees to let them use it to care for ill children.

Discrimination: AB 159 by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit the issuance or renewal of liquor licenses to any club that denies membership on the basis of a person’s color, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex or age.

New Prisons: AB 165 by Assemblyman Willard Murray Jr. (D-Paramount) would ask the voters to approve a $450-million bond issue for site acquisition, construction, renovation and remodeling of youth and adult correctional facilities.

Failure to Pull Over: AB 167 by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) would make it a felony punishable by two to four years in state prison for a motorist to fail to pull over if so directed by a law enforcement officer.

Graffiti: AB 169 by Assemblyman Paul Horcher (R-Hacienda Heights) would allow the courts to require minors convicted of possessing an aerosol paint container for the purpose of defacing public property to perform 100 hours of community service in addition to other penalties.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Breast Cancer: SB 112 by Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) would require the Department of Health Services to update a brochure on the alternative methods of treating breast cancer and require the medical board to determine how many brochures are being distributed to women patients as required by existing law.

Special Elections: SB 109 by Sen. William Craven (R-Oceanside) would require the state to reimburse counties for the cost of special elections to fill Senate and Assembly office vacancies.