Davis’ Must-Act Stack

Gov. Gray Davis has until Oct. 10 to act on some 900 bills passed by the California Legislature before its adjournment last Friday night. Many are technical fixes or minor changes in law, but a considerable number could have broad impact on Californians--on health, child safety, the environment, the business climate, education and social life. In addition to those major measures that The Times has supported or opposed throughout the year, there are a select number that warrant special attention.

One bill in particular cries out for a veto by the governor, AB 84, authored by Assemblyman Dick Floyd (D-Wilmington) on behalf of labor unions and supermarket chains. Floyd’s bill would impose zoning requirements on local government that would have the effect of prohibiting the opening of any new “big box” stores, such as those of Costco, Wal-Mart or Kmart, that have grocery and pharmacy departments.

The unions don’t like these stores because their employees tend to be nonunion, and supermarkets fear competition from the new megastores. Some of the opponents’ arguments might have merit, but the process is wrong. It is not the role of the Legislature to intervene in the marketplace, nor should it impose such a planning decision on local government. If city or county officials believe that a Costco, Wal-Mart or Kmart store would force local stores out of business, they have the power to prevent construction of such behemoths.

The Times urges the governor to sign the following measures into law:

Nursing homes--AB 1160, by Assemblyman Kevin Shelley (D-San Francisco), would reform state law regulating nursing homes. The condition of many California nursing homes is a disgrace, and these reforms, dealing with training, staffing and state oversight, are overdue.

School buses--AB 15, by Assemblyman Martin Gallegos (D-Baldwin Park), would require the installation of safety restraints in school buses manufactured after Jan. 1, 2002. AB 555, by Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes (D-Fresno), would require seat belts and other safety measures in vans used to transport farm workers. The only question is why haven’t these rules been imposed before now.

Insurance--SB 171, by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), creates a pilot project in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties for low-cost auto insurance for low-income families. The rate would be $450 a year in Los Angeles with a surcharge for drivers 19 through 24. Since another bill extends the requirement that all motorists carry liability insurance, it makes sense to have a low-cost policy available. The project would test the economic feasibility of the low-cost insurance plan.

Colleges--SB 1283, by Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), in behalf of the Los Angeles Community College District, authorizes use of state bond funds for a modernization program for buildings 25 or more years old.

Gays--AB 525, by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public school programs.

Telephone area codes--AB 406, by Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and Assemblyman Wally Knox (both D-Los Angeles), requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement a program that more efficiently allocates phone numbers to various companies. An FCC decision Wednesday would make this easier to do. The PUC would also have to study the use of available numbers in an area code before it could be split or an area code overlay imposed.

Profiling--SB 78, by Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City), requires law enforcement agencies to maintain racial statistics and other data on all motorists pulled over for possible traffic violations. The purpose of the bill is to quantify the extent of alleged “racial profiling” by police agencies.