Publisher, The FlashReport
Jon Fleischman
What They Are Saying
"I've come to depend on Jon's great daily compendium, and analysis of the news. The FlashReport is great, and I recommend it to all who follow California politics."
- Mike Antonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor 
More Testimonials
Send FlashReport to a Friend
Featured Column Library
ONE NANNY BILL DOWN; MANY MORE TO GO
By State Senator George Runner
July 13, 2007
[Publisher's Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, I am pleased to present this column from State Senator George Runner. Senator Runner is the Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus... Flash.]If you are new to the FlashReport, please check out the main site and the acclaimed FlashReport Weblog on California politics.
Californians can rest easy now that the so-called Healthy Pets Act was killed by its author this week in the Senate Local Government Committee. This is good news to California pet owners and anyone who relishes a life unfettered by government interference, but we must stay alert and focused, as I have no doubt the proponents of the measure are going back to the drawing board to rethink their strategy for next year.
I applaud the thousands of California citizens who summoned the courage and determination of our founding fathers to kill Assembly Bill 1634, by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys). They came from all over the state and from all walks of life sending a strong message that they will not stand idle while Sacramento bureaucrats attempt to tread on their freedom.
I wish we saw more of this type of activism in Sacramento to help us defeat all the other busy-body legislation that pervades the Capitol.
Don't get me wrong; I am happy that the "Spay and Neuter" bill was laid to rest. But keep in mind this is just one nanny bill down, with many more still to defeat.
Here is a look at other meddling bills that deserve a good protest here at the Capitol:
* Assembly Bill 1467, by Mark DeSaulnier (D-Martinez), bans smoking nearly everywhere, even in owner-operated businesses that don’t employ other people. That means if a married couple, for example, runs a small business and they want to smoke and in the process harm no one, the government will still take away their cigarettes because Big Brother knows what’s best for everyone.
* Parents with school-age children might want to take note: Assembly Bill 881, by Assemblyman Gene Mullin (D-South San Francisco) requires kids under 8 years old to ride in car seats (up from the current age of 6), with an exemption only for kids who are at least 4 feet, nine inches tall. Parents, if this bill passes, don’t forget to carry a measuring tape alongside your jumper cables.
* Here’s another one to help parents out with their child-rearing duties: Assembly Bill 1511, by Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) creates a state program to enlighten parents on the finer points of having sex talks with their kids. No thanks, Nanny. I think parents can handle this important subject without you.
* Good intentions are taken to extremes with Assembly Bill 105, by Ted Lieu (D-Torrance). This measure attempts to micromanage tanning salons. The bill requires that tanning salons check I.D. to verify each customer’s age, thereby making tanning salons more secure than polling places, which do not require voters to show proof of identity. Keep in mind that the same Legislative members who support tanning booth I.D. checks, have routinely opposed legislation to create voter I.D checks.
* As if high school seniors don’t have enough to worry about, Assembly Bill 183, by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Jose) requires them to register to vote as a graduation requirement. The high school dropout rate is through the roof and many seniors continue to fail the high school exit exam, which contains 10th grade-level material, but some legislators think requiring them to vote is more important than teaching them to read, write and crunch math equations at a high school sophomore level. Scary!
Until we stop this type of legislation, California will continue on its course to becoming the Nanny State of America, leaving its citizens wondering what became of their rights to make personal choices for themselves and their families.
Sen. George Runner is the chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus. He represents portions of the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, Victor Valley and Ventura County. Visit his website here.
