Measure Would Give Bidding Preference to Local Businesses

Firms that provide jobs, buy goods and pay taxes in Los Angeles County would get preference when bidding on public transit projects under legislation unanimously approved by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

A 19-0 vote sent the bill (AB 1258), sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar), to the Assembly floor for more debate.

Katz said $183.5 billion in transportation projects will be coming to the Los Angeles region in the next 30 years.

“We must make sure that the people in our community get the jobs as well as the rapid transit,” he said.

ASSEMBLY

Committee Action

Bottle Bill: The Natural Resources Committee approved a bill (AB 401) by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) to add empty liquor, wine and water bottles to the state’s beverage recycling program. A 7-5 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Statutory Rape: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (AB 415) by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) to extend the state’s statutory rape law to include sexual intercourse with a male under 18 years of age. A 19-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Bill Introductions

Speed Limit: AJR 35 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would give the California Highway Patrol the authority to decide which freeways and highways should have a 65 m.p.h. speed limit rather than a 55 m.p.h. limit.

Higher Education: ACA 25 by Assemblyman Paul A. Woodruff (R-Moreno Valley) would give schools of higher education the same state funding guarantees that kindergarten through 12th grade public schools now have under Proposition 98.

SENATE

Floor Action

Club Discrimination: Rejected by a 16-12 vote a bill (SB 182) by Sen. Teresa Hughes (D-Inglewood) to prohibit the issuance of state liquor licenses to private clubs that deny membership on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. Twenty-one votes were required for approval. Reconsideration was granted.

Committee Action

Tax Deductions: The Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill (SB 728) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to prohibit business tax deductions for pleasure boats or yachts, country club dues or fees, luxury boxes at sports stadiums and arenas, and concert admission tickets. A 5-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Sexual Harassment: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 459) by Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord) to require all California peace officers to receive training in recognizing and stopping sexual harassment in the workplace. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Video Display Terminals: The Industrial Relations Committee approved a bill (SB 832) by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) to require video display terminals used in the workplace to meet specified safety standards. A 4-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.