Davis Signs, Vetoes Bills

Was there anyone else who flinched on reading “Hope for a Bolder 2000” (editorial, Oct. 13), when it was mentioned that Gov. Gray Davis ended the 1999 legislative session by “signing more than 1,000 bills into law and vetoing 232.” Considering the limited time the Legislature is in session and the limited time the governor had to study these bills, there cannot possibly be much actual thought given to the impact they will have on the citizens of California. As I recall, the number of bills passed in 1998 exceeded 1,000 as well. That is more than 2,000 different rules, regulations and laws passed in the last two years that will affect us as citizens of this state.

Where is the public information column advising us of these measures as they come up for debate? Where is the supposed limited government we all want? We need to know!

IRENE CONN

San Clemente

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By signing SB 1237 and AB 1309, which would again allow nonpolicyholders to sue insurance companies over the handling of claims, Davis has condemned California to a court system burdened with excessive and abusive litigation, and he has burdened consumers with increased insurance costs.

If the risk of liability goes up for the insurance companies, their litigation costs will go up and, therefore, consumers’ insurance rates will go up to cover those costs. For an average two-car family with one adult and one teenage driver, their insurance costs could go up by more than $300 per year under the new law. The Department of Insurance and the insurance commissioner are already in place to ensure consumers are treated fairly by insurance companies. This new law creates a redundant system for addressing a problem which, in truth, barely exists.

ANTHONY BELL, Exec. Dir.

Citizens Against Lawsuit

* Davis’ veto of SB 873 (Oct. 12), which authorized a study of the three-strikes law, was very disappointing. We taxpayers are spending millions of dollars locking up people for life, but Davis is unwilling to let a nonpartisan group look at the cost/benefits. He must fear what the results would show--we’re locking up far too many people who are no longer violent.

SUSAN STEFFENS

San Jose