Water Legislation Beginning to Boil in California Special Session

Fri, Sep 28th 2007, 15:29

The California State Senate will begin hearings next Thursday, October 4 at 9:30 a.m. on the water special session when the Natural Resources & Water Committee meets. The panel will consider competing water supply reliability bonds and bills proposing expenditures of previously authorized water bond funds.

Assemblymember John Laird, who is the lead Assembly Democrat on the water special session, introduced a package of three bills Wednesday that Assembly Democrats are advancing during the special legislative session on water.

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/09/water_legislati.html

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'Green' building may become the law

Tue, Sep 25th 2007, 13:39

Legislation and utility policy put state on efficiency path

In their high-profile campaign against climate change, California lawmakers have set goals for curbing carbon emissions from cars, factories and power plants -- and now they are taking aim at homes and offices.

"Studies show that buildings, like the ones you and I sit in, are responsible for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions," said Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, by telephone Monday.

Adam Dondro, legislative aide to Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said: "It's a huge piece that needs to be addressed."

Laird and Lieu co-wrote legislation this year to establish statewide building regulations that would help create new tracts of energy-efficient homes, beginning in 2013. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1058, would direct the state Department of Housing and Community Development to write new building codes that require efficient homes.

Lieu also wrote Assembly Bill 888 to require efficient commercial buildings starting in 2013 as well.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/25/news/top_stories/11_14_569_24_07.txt

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Governor appoints Colorado's first openly gay district judge

Tue, Sep 25th 2007, 10:49

September 18, 2007

David Brett Woods will become Colorado's first openly gay district court judge.

Though one liberal-leaning blog, coloradopols.com, reported that Woods is the first openly gay district court judge and views his accomplishment as an important milestone, Woods said Monday his sexual orientation shouldn't matter, and it won't influence his decisions on the bench.

"To me, it's not particularly news," Woods said. "It's never been an issue before. It's not going to be an issue. I follow the law."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5700609,00.html

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Gay marriage backed

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 17:01

September 19, 2007

The struggle over same-sex marriage has landed in San Diego, where the City Council agreed yesterday to signal its support for the concept, only to have Mayor Jerry Sanders pledge to veto the action.

Sanders' decision could result in an override of his veto, which requires a simple majority vote of the eight-member council. Councilwoman Toni Atkins said she expects “the votes will hold” to set aside the veto.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070919-9999-1m19marriage.html

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Nations, Collins seek AG's opinion on state's new immigration law

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 13:26

Published: September 15, 2007 12:00 am

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Five state lawmakers, including two from Cleveland County, have asked for an attorney general's opinion on whether the state's new immigration law is enforceable.

State Reps. Bill Nations and Wallace Collins, both Norman Democrats, and Reps. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City; Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, and Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska, sent a seven-page letter to Attorney General Drew Edmondson requesting the opinion, Edmondson's office confirmed Friday.

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_258012356

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Laird named to statewide water issues

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 12:59

Assembly Speaker Núñez has named Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) to lead the Assembly working group focused on the special session on statewide water issues. The special session was called for by the governor.

In his role in the working group, Assemblymember Laird is expected to lead discussions between the governor, the Senate and the Assembly as they craft legislation to address various water issues facing California.

http://thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NEWS01/70918010/1002

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Gay Activists Hopeful on Job Bias Ban

Mon, Sep 17th 2007, 09:26

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gay rights advocates expect Congress will soon move closer to approving a federal ban on job discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender workers.

Rep. Barney Frank, a leading proponent, predicts the ban will win House approval in coming weeks.

A bipartisan bill was introduced in April by Reps. Frank; Christopher Shays, R-Conn.; Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio; and Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat who is openly gay. There are 167 co-sponsors, including a handful of Republicans.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Congress-Gay-Rights.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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Daytime's New Decider: An Interview with Gay Judge David Young

Mon, Sep 10th 2007, 10:28

Andy Towle interviews David Young whose new daytime court show premieres this week.

http://www.towleroad.com/2007/09/ive-watched-jud.html

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Commissioner Góngora to Push for Traffic Synchronization

Thu, Sep 6th 2007, 17:05

Miami Beach August 2007 - Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora announced that he is calling on County and State officials to initiate a traffic synchronization pilot project on Miami Beach .

        "Few things cause greater stress in our daily lives than dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic," Góngora said.  "Properly synchronized traffic signals can reduce congestion on arterial roads during peak travel times.  It is a measure well within our reach and our current resources.   Rather than reinventing the wheel, let's begin in our own backyard to ensure that those things within our control are functioning optimally."

http://www.citydebate.com/florida/miamibeach/template.php?url=0108260706.htm

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John Laird: Water conservation is answer for future

Fri, Aug 17th 2007, 14:48

In the wake of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent statewide tour to push his water plan, there is a key fact all Californians should consider: The city of Los Angeles has grown by nearly 1 million people in the last 25 years, and current water use is virtually the same as a quarter-century ago.

Why? Water conservation.

Throughout urban Southern California, water conservation has reduced per-capita use by 39 gallons per day through replacement of inefficient water-using fixtures and improved landscape watering.

http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/323532.html

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