Kuehl Single Payer Health Bill Passes California State Senate While Dozens of Major Bills Fly Off Both Floors of the Legislature

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Sentencing Commission Bills, Florez E. Coli Food Safety Bills, Jones’ Flood Liability Bill Pass Floor Votes

By Frank D. Russo

In the last hour the California State Senate passed SB 840, the single payer universal coverage health care bill by Senator Sheila Kuehl. The vote was 22 to 14, with only Democratic votes in support and 13 Republicans joined by Lou Correa, the sole Democratic Senator against. This is similar to SB 840 of last year that was passed by both houses of the legislature and vetoed by the Governor.

Two other health care bills providing near universal coverage, AB 8 by Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, and SB 48 by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, are expected to come up for votes tomorrow and pass floors of their respective houses of origin.

SB 110 (Romero) to create an independent non-partisan sentencing commission drawing upon the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of California’s government passed the Senate on a 24 to 14 vote with Democrats in support and Republicans and Lou Correa joining the Republicans in opposition. Romero told the Senate, “We can take the path of reform, or we can take the path of lost opportunity, squandered resources and eventual receivership of all aspects of our prisons.”

Minutes later, the Assembly passed AB 160 (Lieber) 43 to 29, a sentencing commission bill with some different provisions with two Democats joining Republicans in opposition.

A package of food safety legislation by Senator Dean Flores growing out of the deadly e. coli outbreaks from spinach and other green leafy vegetables passed the Senate.