"Nearly
two-thirds of California voters favor a sweeping plan to overhaul health care that is now pending before the Legislature despite the state's looming $14 billion budget deficit, according to a new survey from the Field Poll," reports the Bee's Tom Chorneau.
"Aimed at extending coverage to all 6.8 million Californians who lack health insurance, the measure attracted support from voters regardless of their party affiliation, region of residence, age or income, the poll found. Most voters said they support the proposal mainly because they believe the current health care system is broken or badly in need of repair.
"The findings could not have come at a better time for the supporters of the overhaul legislation, known as AB1X. It was approved Monday by the state Assembly and is expected to go before the state Senate in the coming weeks.
"'This is very significant support,' said
Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. 'There's a lot of combinations of ideas that would not be palatable with the public - but this is one that the public is cheering on.'"
While the plan may be popular with voters,
approval would not be a certainty, writes Dan Walters.
"There's no certainty that the proposed cigarette tax hike – $1.50 or $2 a pack – would be acceptable, either. The tobacco industry has demonstrated in the past that it's willing to spend many millions of dollars to beat back such tax increases. In fact, California voters rejected a $2.60 boost to underwrite health care just last year.
"
Finally, even if the Senate and voters were to approve the plan, there's the nagging issue of its legality under federal law since one aspect imposes health spending requirements on employers. The courts have held consistently that such requirements conflict with federal law. The only state that has them, Hawaii, had to obtain a special waiver from Congress."Bottom line: Even with what appears to be strong voter support, this plan is a long way from becoming reality."
"In what may be the largest early release of inmates in U.S. history, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration
is proposing to open the prison gates next year for some 22,000 low-risk offenders," reports Andy Furillo in the Bee.
"According to details of a budget proposal made available to The Bee, the administration will ask the Legislature to authorize the release of certain non-serious, nonviolent, non-sex offenders who are in the final 20 months of their terms.
"The proposal would cut the prison population by 22,159 inmates and save the cash-strapped state an estimated $256 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1 and more than $780 million through June 30, 2010. The proposal also calls for a reduction of more than 4,000 prison jobs, most of them involving correctional officers.
"Conservatives and victims-rights groups indicated Thursday that they will be stoking the fires of opposition to a plan they say poses a massive public safety threat.
"Assemblyman
Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, accused Schwarzenegger of 'running with his tails between his legs' from the federal three-judge court that is considering legal motions to cap the state prison population.
"Spitzer said the administration is 'hell bent' on cutting the prison population, as demonstrated by recent decisions to press parole agents to discharge low-risk offenders if they stay clean for a year.
"'
You can guarantee that we'll be out and yelling against this,' said
Nina Salarno Ashford, an executive board member of Crime Victims United of California."
"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Stephen Johnson overruled the unanimous opinion of his legal and technical staff in blocking California's effort to cut greenhouse gases from cars and trucks - a new revelation that California officials say shows his decision was based on politics, not the law," writes the Chron's Zachary Coile.
"House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman
Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, launched a probe Thursday into why Johnson made his decision even though EPA staffers reportedly warned him he would lose in court if he denied California's request.
"'Prior to making this decision, you assured the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as well as the state of California and many others, that you would make this decision on the merits,' Waxman wrote in a letter to Johnson. 'It does not appear that you fulfilled that commitment.'
"The revelation that Johnson ignored his staff's advice was first reported by the Washington Post on Thursday. California Democratic Sen.
Barbara Boxer said her office was able to confirm that the staff recommendations were rejected by the administrator."
"One day after the Bush administration blocked the law, governors and other officials from at least eight states pledged to help California as it prepares to sue the administration.
"'
We're going to be out there on California's side,' Oregon Gov.
Ted Kulongoski said in an interview. 'The only way we're going to get the national administration to move on this is to keep up the pressure.'
"Washington Gov.
Chris Gregoire said the support of multiple governors, plus members of Congress, could create political pressure on the Bush administration to reconsider. "It's an overwhelming voice from the states," she said.
"If the administration doesn't relent and the issue goes to court, the support of New Jersey, New York and others surely wouldn't hurt California's case. Moreover, a report in the Washington Post said the Bush administration ignored warnings from its own lawyers that California could prevail if the matter goes to court."
The California Chamber of Commerce has
changed it's position on Proposition 93, now
opting to oppose the term limits initiative it had once supported.
"
Sources familiar with the vote say a driving force against Proposition 93 was former Gov. Pete Wilson, who is a member of the chamber board. Wilson announced his own opposition to Proposition 93 earlier this week."
Chamber spokeswoman Denise Davis said of the February statement, 'When that statement was made, the hope was term limits and redistricting were together.' The failure of the legislature to come to an agreement of redistricting reform, she said, was the core reason for the Chamber’s opposition.
"'We’re disappointed the Chamber of Commerce made this decision through the prism of issues other than the policy of Proposition 93,' said Yes on 93 spokesman Richard Stapler. "The passage of Proposition 93 will make the state Legislature more efficient and effective -- sound research makes that clear.'"
"Several state senators announced Thursday that they're
introducing legislation to assist struggling homeowners by requiring lenders to better notify borrowers about changing interest rates and by helping them connect with whatever federal help is available," reports Hank Shaw in the Stockton Record.
"Sen. Michael
Machado, D-Linden, is a co-sponsor of the legislation, which will be championed by Senate President Pro Tem
Don Perata, D-Oakland. Machado sponsored bills earlier this year to crack down on shady appraisals and to help prevent lenders from handing out high-priced mortgages to those who can't afford them.
"The new legislation also would make statewide a code enforcement ordinance Manteca has adopted, which fines the holder of a foreclosed home up to $1,000 a day if they let the landscaping go or leave an unused swimming pool as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Stockton is considering a similar ordinance.
"Machado and Perata's move - Sen.
Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, is also a sponsor - is the latest in a series of governmental efforts to ease the foreclosure crisis. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger came to Stockton on Tuesday to discuss the issue and tout a stopgap measure in which lenders Countrywide, GMAC, Litton and HomeEq have agreed to freeze interest rates for certain struggling homeowners."
"'
It will help our economy harness green technologies as effectively as Santa harnesses reindeer to his sleigh,' the Los Angeles Democrat wrote in the zippy letter that accompanied the framed certificates.
From our
Myth Buster Files, the AP reports, "Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster.
"These well-worn theories are among seven "medical myths" exposed in a paper published on Friday in the British Medical Journal, which traditionally carries light-hearted features in its Christmas edition."
As for that hair on your palms, well, that's another matter...