Jack LaLanne Speaks to the California Legislature—A Rare Respite from the Crush of Bills

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Maybe he could help with some of the heavy lifting to get votes, including the budget

By Frank D. Russo

This morning Jack LaLanne appeared in the back of the California state Assembly chamber as that body was about to begin its daily business during this busy week facing tomorrow’s deadline that requires passage of legislation by its members. This is a week that will see hundreds of bills in both houses live or die in floor votes being taken.

There he was, this icon of good health who in the 1950’s started the longest running television show devoted to fitness, a show I had laughed at with my brothers while a youngster. Lalanne, in his 60's performed feats such as swimming from Alcatraz to Fisherman’s Wharf in the San Francisco Bay, towing a 1,000 pound boat while handcuffed.

97 years young LaLanne, who tonight will be inducted into the California Museum’s California Hall of Fame by Maria Shriver tonight in Sacramento, received an award from Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. He was then given permission to address the Assembly and did not disappoint.

With grins all around, he lectured our solons on eating well and getting exercise, starting off asking what they had had for breakfast and whether they would feed it to their dog. Then telling them if it’s man made, not to eat it.

After he departed, the Assembly recommenced their work on a pile of bills, having adjourned shortly before 10 p.m. yesterday evening—no doubt neither getting the exercise recommended nor eating the food recommended during caucuses and short breaks in the action.

A nice break for bleary eyed legislators. And for me well as I try to monitor the Assembly and Senate floors, budget subcommittees and other committees meeting off the floor, late breaking polls and election news with our primary five days away, and the winding down presidential race.

There are dozens of stories on legislation and it is hard to focus on all but the most major of these.

At the moment, a bill to fund $7 billion in prison health care construction, SB 1665, is “on call” and lacks the two-thirds 27 votes needed for passage in the Senate. It is stalled at 23-14 with no Republican votes for it. It failed passage Tuesday.