[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

There they go again.

After needlessly holding up the budget for months last summer with the same failed strategy, Senate Republicans yesterday signaled their intent to try to weaken the state's environmental and labor laws as the price for their support of the state budget again this year. Included in this year's demands are a delay in the state's landmark global warming law, repeal of the eight-hour day labor law signed by Gov. Davis, a plan to aid the health insurance industry, and relaxing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, put it bluntly, according to a report in the San Diego Union Tribune. "We are putting this on the table for the budget negotiations. You are not going to see these necessarily as bills floating around in the Legislature somewhere -- only to have a 10-minute hearing and be dismissed."

So once again, the Republicans are dragging non-budget issues into the budget fight.

There's more...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Michele Magar

A few short years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to the United Nations to help advocate for a strong and effective treaty to protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities. The experience changed my life.

Adopted by the United Nations on December 13, 2006, the treaty guarantees people with disability the rights to self-determination and equality. It covers every aspect of life, and gives people with disabilities the rights many of us take for granted, including the rights to vote, sign contracts, own property, work, marry, procreate, and retain custody of children. In May 2008, the treaty will become legally binding.

I learned about the United States disability rights movement 26 years ago when I became the first national news reporter to develop “disability rights” as a beat. In those days, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 did not exist, and few reporters showed up at press events organized by disability rights advocates in our nation’s capitol.