It’s too bad all the awful legislation signed by Gray Davis
wasn’t recalled with him last October. Instead scores of laws take
effect on New Year’s Day, most reducing liberty or hurting
business. Here are some of the worst:
It’s too bad all the awful legislation signed by Gray Davis wasn’t recalled with him last October. Instead scores of laws take effect on New Year’s Day, most reducing liberty or hurting business. Here are some of the worst:
SB 796 has been called the “sue your boss” law.
Until now, the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency policed workplace violations of the state labor code. Beginning in January, according to the Legislature’s summary, “aggrieved employees” also can “bring civil actions to recover these penalties.” It will be full employment for trial lawyers, but a reason to leave the state for many companies.
AB 196 makes employers liable not only for sexual harassment by employees but by anyone who has anything to do with the company. … The bill also prohibits companies from discriminating against cross-dressers, a violation of companies’ rights to set private dress codes.
SB 1661 mandates 12 weeks of unpaid leave to help a sick relative. But most companies already accommodate the needs of their employees, who often can take unpaid leave or vacation time to deal with such a situation. The legal mandate will reduce workplace flexibility, while increasing costs for employers and work for employees who must pick up the slack for those not at work. It also could kill jobs, leading to the “unpaid leave” called unemployment.
AB 28 is the Beverage Container Recycling Act. It increases to 4 cents from 2.5 cents the recycling fee paid on containers of less than 24 ounces; and to 8 cents from 5 cents the fee for large containers. Basically, it’s a tax on people who drink sodas but don’t have time to recycle.
The Legislature should have realized the free market itself provides noncoercive recycling. “There is a strong market incentive for producers to recycle aluminum cans,” notes a study by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “Transforming ore into aluminum requires 10 percent more energy than recycling aluminum efficiently.”
This is an example of how the Legislature’s first impulse to meet a problem is to tax and control.
AB 301 bans the use of a TV in the line-of-sight of a vehicle driver. Map devices still are allowed. Of course, it’s stupid to watch TV while you’re driving and those who cause accidents from doing so should face penalties. But this law will only increase government snooping on drivers.
SB 892 mandates that public school restrooms be kept clean. This is another obvious need. But it should be left to local school districts to handle the matter. Violators will have maintenance money reduced, making the problem worse. If the Legislature really wanted to help, it should reduce the state government’s already heavy-handed control over schools, allowing them more flexibility on how to spend tax money.
Does the Legislature have to control everything?
The new year will bring a new round of legislation from this out-of-control Legislature. But our new governor seems to realize that the state already has too many laws, too many regulations, too many controls on our liberties.
He should get his veto pen ready.
– Free Lance wire services
To respond to this editorial or comment on this issue, please send or bring letters to Editor, Hollister Free Lance, 350 Sixth St., Hollister, Calif. 95023 or fax to 637-4104 or e-mail to
