In the News 2010

OPINION: Two bills key to curb HIV and hepatitis C (Sacramento Bee)

September 11, 2010

By Christopher Kennedy Lawford

"I want to test you for hepatitis C and HIV," my doctor told me in 2000. I'd been in recovery for 15 years, but as a teenager and very young man I had been addicted to drugs and alcohol. I used needles and syringes. Among the people I knew, sharing needles was common back then - before HIV and hepatitis C were a reality.

The last time I put a needle in my arm was in 1981, just as the first cases of AIDS were being identified in the United States.

Death toll in massive Calif. blaze likely to rise (Associated Press)

September 11, 2010

By SUDHIN THANAWALA

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Fire crews tried to douse the remnants of an enormous blaze and account for the residents of dozens of homes Friday after a gas line ruptured and an explosion ripped through in a neighborhood near San Francisco, killing at least four people and likely more.

Emergency workers haven't been able to get into all the homes and said there could be more casualties. Earlier Friday, officials said at least six people were killed before revising the official number to four.

Search-and-rescue operations postponed due to fire danger (Bay City News)

September 11, 2010

Crews have not been able to attempt search-and-rescue operations in San Bruno after a ruptured gas transmission line caused an explosion and six-alarm fire Thursday because the danger has been too high, a San Bruno spokesman said.

The fire has destroyed dozens of homes and displaced hundreds of residents. At least one person is confirmed dead and more than 20 injured.

Safety assessment teams plan to convene at 6 a.m. Friday to review the damage, spokesman John Alita said.

EDITORIAL: Three to sign - A few worthy bills awaiting the governor's approval (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

September 10, 2010

We don't just question the governor's judgment in taking a trip to Asia before California lawmakers have hammered out a budget.

San Bruno neighborhood destroyed by gas-line inferno (San Mateo Daily Journal)

September 10, 2010

By Jon Mays

A catastrophic fire fueled by a broken 16- to 24-inch PG&E gas line ripped through a San Bruno neighborhood last night, destroying 53 homes and damaging 120 with a wide swath of towering flames, critically burning residents and causing massive evacuations.

San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault said there were two fatalities confirmed and at least four people were rushed to local burn centers in critical condition.

EDITORIAL: A lack of courage (Chico News & Review)

September 09, 2010

Lawmakers wimp out on chance to give imprisoned children hope

Of all the good bills that failed to pass in the final days of this year's state legislative session, none was more central to our notion of what it means to be a civilized society than SB 399, by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco). Yee's measure sought to address the issue of children sentenced as adults to life without possibility of parole-that is, sentenced to die in prison-by giving them a second chance, under carefully controlled conditions.

EDITORIAL: Fundraising, with limits (Los Angeles Times)

September 08, 2010

SB 330, which the governor should sign, would rein in some of the abuses by private 'auxiliaries' that raise money for California public colleges and universities.

In an understandable quest to make up for budget cuts, California public colleges and universities have developed new fundraising methods, including the establishment of foundations known as "auxiliaries" that function as arms of the schools but that legally exist outside of them.

EDITORIAL: Public Records Act doesn't hinder ASI, CSU (Long Beach State Daily 49er)

September 06, 2010

Last semester, we came out in support of SB 330, a bill that would redefine Associated Students Inc, Forty-Niner Shops and other California State University auxiliary organization as public agencies. This designation would, in effect, require these auxiliary organizations to conform to the California Public Records Act.

Well, the bill has now cleared the state Senate and is sitting on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, waiting to be signed. The bill terminator err governor has until Sept.

EDITORIAL: Governor can boost open government (Salinas Californian)

September 03, 2010

A bill that would boost transparency in state government sits on the governor's desk awaiting his signature; it could lift his legacy a tad once he leaves office.

Senate Bill 330 by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, would force foundations and other organizations associated with the California State University system to make their records public. The bill expands the power of the California Public Records Act, which requires openness and transparency by government agencies, including state universities and colleges.

Gov.

Teen's 84-year sentence overturned by court (San Francisco Chronicle)

September 02, 2010

Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer

After the Legislature killed a Bay Area lawmaker's bill to give juveniles serving life sentences a chance at future parole, a state appeals court took a step in the other direction Wednesday by overturning the 84-year prison term of a 16-year-old gang member convicted of robbery and carjacking.

The sentence is the practical equivalent of life without possible parole and violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, said the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles.