We’re Back… for More on Open Conference Committees
Some
ideas just don’t go away. The move to open legislative conference committees is
back—in spite of the narrow defeat of my bill on the Senate floor a week or so
ago. The media has really hit this one hard, and some Senators may be regretting
their vote against sunshine. It turns out the Senate Public Affairs Committee
had a very similar bill (SB 322), sponsored by Sen. Joe Carraro, a Republican
from the West Side, on the table. It was amended to suit several committee
members and,given a “do-pass” on Thursday, Feb. 22. It will probably hit the
Senate floor this week. Call your Senator if you feel that you’re entitled to
hear about what goes on in these important meetings where the budget and other
important matters are hammered out-- often at the last minute. It’s Senate Bill
322.
Credit Freeze Passes the Senate, on to the House
My drive to allow consumers to freeze their credit information and thus prevent identity theft is advancing to the House, where the “substitute bill,” which combined SB 165, sponsored by Sen. Bill Sharer and my SB 448, is now facing House Business and Industry. This is a tough committee and I’d appreciate any phone calls or contacts in favor of this consumer bill to go to these members: Reps. Debbie Rodella, chair,, George Hanosh, vice-chair, Jose Campos, Andrew Barreras, Tom Garcia, Richard Vigil, Donna Irwin, Justine Fox Young, Keith Gardner, Jane Powdrell, Jim Trujillo, and Gloria Vaughn. The AARP is working this one, which the AG Gary King supports. Call 1-505-986-4300 for the numbers and e-mails of those Reps.
Bipartisan Cooperation in Action
Whenever I can I make
common cause with Republicans of like minds, I jump at the opportunity. That's
the case with the two bills I mentioned above. Perhaps that's not politically
correct in some circles, but it makes sense to me, since so many of these things
( like good government and consumer protection) are not partisan. I don't know
who will eventually get the credit on the election mailer, but I do know what's
the right thing. And there others here-- of both parties-- who feel the same
way. That's a side of the legislature that the public doesn't often see and it's
what keeps me going up here.
Entering the Final Phase
The
blogsphere and media have been activated big time on this. I've been getting
calls for an interview from something called "the Impeachment Channel" in L.A.,
along with requests for filming, etc. from all over the country. It may be an
exercise in crowd control.
As we count down to the final gong, it becomes
more and more about the money. Budget negotiations tend to crowd out discussion
of all other items. Senators have submitted their final requests for capital
outlay projects, so my math skills-- and my eraser has been put to the test....
More later...
Comments