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Governor signs domestic partner and gun bills, other measures
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Governor signs domestic partner and gun bills, other measuresBy Alexa Haussler Associated Press Writer SACRAMENTO (AP) -- In a last minute bill-signing flurry, Gov. Gray Davis approved measures to expand the rights of domestic partners and tighten requirements to purchase handguns. He also vetoed dozens of bills, including one that called for an increase in workers compensation benefits, citing the state's growing budget crunch. Davis faced a midnight Sunday deadline to sign or veto hundreds of pieces of legislation. He spent the day considering more than 200 bills and worked until the early hours of Monday morning. Davis signed a measure that provides about a dozen rights enjoyed by heterosexual married couples to more than 16,000 registered gay, lesbian and senior domestic partners in California. The bill was authored by Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco. It lets those who register as domestic partners with the California Secretary of State's Office make medical decisions for their incapacitated partners, sue for wrongful death, adopt a partner's child and will property to a partner. "This bill is about responsibility, respect, and most of all about family -- and it's about time," Davis said. Supporters call Davis' decision the biggest expansion of domestic partner rights in the country, putting the state alongside Vermont and Hawaii for acceptance of same-sex couples. Opponents label it an assault on traditional marriage and family values. In March 2000, more than 60 percent of California voters said that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Later Sunday, Davis signed twin handgun bills that would require gun buyers to pass a written test and demonstrate to a safety instructor that they know how to operate the weapon. The identical Senate and Assembly bills require handgun buyers to provide a thumb print, proof of residency, identification and a handgun safety certificate. The bills' requirements take effect Jan. 1, 2003. In the final hours before his deadline, Davis also vetoed a measure to boost workers compensation benefits. He has rejected two similar measures in the past. Democratic lawmakers endorsed the bill, saying that California pays some of the lowest injury benefits in the country. The bill, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader John Burton of San Francisco, would have increased payments to workers by up to $2.4 billion across five years. Davis said he vetoed the bill because of "shaky economic times" and he said it fails to make adequate improvements to the state's workers compensation program. Legislators sent the governor about 1,000 bills when they adjourned their 2001 session Sept. 15. Davis had until midnight to sign, veto or let them become law without his signature. Most bills take effect Jan. 1. In the marathon session Sunday, Davis signed an array of bills that ranged from limiting junk food sales in schools to the domestic partners measure. He also rejected dozens, citing state revenue shortfalls in many of his vetoes. Other bills signed Sunday by Davis include: A measure to limit the sale of "junk food" in elementary schools. The measure by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Whittier, restricts sales of soda at middle schools to after lunch and increases the money schools are paid for lunches for poor children. Davis deleted $5.5 million in the bill for grants to local school districts to implement and monitor new nutrition standards. He said the use of federal funds should be explored. A package of election-related bills, including one that asks voters in March to approve a $200 million bond measure for counties to purchase updated voting systems. Education bills, including one that restores $32 million in funding for community colleges that had been cut from the 2001-02 budget. The legislation had slated $98 million for community colleges, but Davis said the state's revenue shortfalls forced him to reduce the amount. Thirteen crime bills, including one to fine adults who leave young children alone in cars. Another bill mandates that registered sex offenders provide yearly fingerprints, photo and vehicle information. http://www.sacbee.com/news/calreport/data/N2001-10-15-0315-0.html
Comments
I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
I'M PRO CHOICE! I CHOOSE to hunt, trap, eat meat and wear fur!!
If you run, you'll just die tired!