PPIC Poll Previews Coming Heavyweight Policy Fight
How will the next state budget crisis be avoided? Manypolicy experts, political pundits, and special interests have their own ideas.But odds are the solutions that will grab public attention will not contain anysubtleties or nuances. Opposing factions will likely support measures mosteasily understood by the voters.
3 Bad, 1 Good
No, it is not the title of an upcoming Clint Eastwood movie.
Now that the budget has been signed, we can all focus on the 800 or so bills that the Governor has to deal with by October 1st. On the civil justice front, CALA would like to see the Governor veto the following legislation:
AB 437 Jones: Would result in significant new employer liability and damages exposure in virtually any lawsuit challenging workplace decisions.
AB 2947 Eng: Prohibits voluntary arbitration agreements between seniors and long-term care facilities. This legislation only helps lawyers, not seniors.
SB 1113 Migden: Would further tip the scales in the plaintiffs’ favor by expanding the scope of reimbursable costs to a victorious plaintiff. This kind of expansion of cost recovery would only create new incentives to sue.
Shame On Us
Shortly after it was clear that Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Republican Senator John McCain would be their respective party nominees, I was hopeful that we might see the most uplifting presidential campaign of recent generations. Senator McCain was a maverick, known for speaking his mind, even when his views differed from mainstream Republicans, while Senator Obama’s rhetorical style and message captured the imaginations of Democrats, independents and more than a few Republicans.
The stage was set. Everyone who wanted to see a substantive campaign was thrilled by the prospect of a series of 10 weekly town hall meetings. But it was not to be. Senator Obama refused Senator McCain’s invitation and both campaigns have since taken the low road, each blaming the other for "starting it," as if it matters who jumped in the mud first.