Productive Day in the California Assembly: Bills Passed on Gay Marriage, High School Exit Exam Alternatives, Toxics in Kids' Pro

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Doubleheader Today as Senate and Assembly Meet in Marathon Sessions

By Frank D. Russo

The California Assembly started yesterday at 10 a.m., and aside from an hour and a half break for caucuses and lunch at 1 p.m., continued on until 9 p.m. when the dust settled, they had disposed of 147 bills, some of them flying past as fast as an express train, and others of them, such as AB 43 (Leno) to end the state's denial of marriage licenses to gay couples receiving lengthy debate. At 6:38 p.m., there was an announcement by the presiding officer that dinner was available, but there would be no break in the consideration of measures. As far as we know, no food fights developed, as lawmakers grabbed some sustenance, and carried on through the final 25 bills of the evening.

All this on top of 116 measures dealt with Monday by the Assembly and another session starting at 9:30 a.m. when both the Assembly and Senate will be in simultaneous debates.

There are at least a couple of dozen stories that could be written on yesterday's actions. Some of the bills will receive little notice in the popular press but are very important to millions of Californians--such as giving foster children greater opportunities, providing occupational safety to workers, food stamps to those in need, and the like. Others will be the fodder for blockbuster headlines and are on the cusp of issues where the divide is deep within the population of our state and those in different political parties.

Read Monday's Gallup Poll news release, "Americans Rate the Morality of 16 Social Issues: Doctor-assisted suicide and homosexuality are cultural flashpoints," and you'll see many of these hot button issues being debated on the floor of the California legislature. Read the polls and review the actions of our representatives and you'll see that California is far more progressive than the rest of the country.

Look beyond some of those headlines, and you'll see many issues involving money and more mundane, but nevertheless important battles.

Here is just some of what caught my eye from yesterday's items considered by the Assembly as I tried to stay in my chair during the session: