2-Cent Cigarette Tax Proposed to Fund Breast Cancer Program

Cigarette smokers would have to pay two cents more per pack in state tax to finance breast cancer research, detection and education under a bill introduced in the Assembly.

The cigarette tax hike legislation (AB 478) is sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Los Angeles), who called it “outrageous” that the Legislature has not provided any funding for breast cancer research while the disease has increased 30% during the last decade.

“If the current trend continues,” she said, “by the year 2000, one in seven women can expect to get breast cancer.”

Friedman’s measure would raise an estimated $38 million annually for the breast cancer program.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Firearms: AB 482 by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) would place tighter controls on furnishing a concealable firearm to a minor.

More Firearms: AB 501 by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) would require a one-time registration and background check of people who bring concealable weapons into the state.

Adopt-a-Beach: AB 488 by Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) would establish an Adopt-a-Beach program to allow businesses or civic groups to provide volunteer crews to pick up litter on sections of state beaches.

Campaign Contributions: ACA 4 by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Brentwood) would require the Legislature to enact a campaign finance reform plan by Dec. 31, 1994.

Spaceport Office: AB 485 by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) would establish a state spaceport office to seek federal funding for commercial space activities, preferably operating from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Los Angeles Schools: SB 290 by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) would create a commission to develop a plan to split the Los Angeles Unified School District into smaller districts and submit the proposal to the voters in November, 1994.

BB Guns: SB 292 by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) would prohibit BB guns, pellet guns or paint guns on public, private or religious school campuses.

Grandparents: SB 306 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) would provide that a grandparent could be granted reasonable visitation rights in any child-custody court proceeding.

Electoral College: SJR 4 by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) urges Congress to abolish the Electoral College and provide for the direct popular election of the President and vice president of the United States.

Capital Fact

San Diego’s Old Town is California’s most visited state park, with more than 6 million visitors in 1991-92, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.