Patt Morrison for Wednesday, September 1, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:19

OPEN

 

 

1:21 – 1:39

NY passes Domestic Workers Bill of Rights – is CA next?

There are hundreds of thousands “domestic laborers” hard at work in the households of Los Angeles, and all of them should be looking east to New York with great interest.  Yesterday New York Governor David Paterson signed the Domestic Workers’ Rights bill into law providing the 270,000 domestic workers in NY with more rights and protection than anywhere else in the nation. New York may be leading the way but the Golden State isn’t far behind. What is in the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (CDWBR) and who exactly is included under the umbrella term? We discuss what happens in the often isolated domestic worker industry, why these workers are not protected by the National Labor Relations Act and who enforces the law if the bill does pass here.

 

Guests:

TBD

 

 

1:41 – 1:58:30

What do you get when you mix private funds with public funds? A big mess as the CSU system is finding out...

After the recent controversy surrounding Sarah Palin's $75,000 bill for her CSU Stanislaus fundraising speech, it seems the entire CSU system has mixed public and private funds so much that it can no longer tell which is which. Critics have long suspected that CSU officials have used foundations as a way to spend without having to deal with public scrutiny. The chief financial officer admits that the comingled funds are a problem but insists there were no malicious or shady dealings taking place. So what is the real story, and how easy will it be for CSU officials to sort through the financial stew?

 

Guests:

Claudia Keith, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Public Affairs, California State University

CALL HER:

 

Leland Yee, California State Senator, Democrat from the San Francisco/San Mateo area

He has sponsored a bill that would require foundations and auxiliary organizations linked to public institutions to comply with the California Public Records Act.

WILL CALL IN:

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Hurricane Katrina’s long legacy

Much of the Gulf Coast and New Orleans have come back from the brink of disaster in the five years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, but part of the damage is still evident.  This is especially clear in the Lower 9^th Ward, where only about a quarter of the 5,400 homes there before the storm have been rebuilt. In 2006, Douglas Brinkley, who was teaching at the University of New Orleans in 2005, wrote a singular book about the storm, “The Great Deluge:  Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” and he joins us with a look back at the problems and progress of rebuilding.

 

Guest:

Douglas Brinkley, Presidential Historian and Professor of History at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and author of “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

CALL HIM:

 

 

2:30 – 2:39

OPEN

 

 

2:41 – 2:58:30

TitleWave: “Garden State” author Rick Moody on his new novel “The Four Fingers of Death”

Garden State author Rick Moody joins Patt with his new novel The Four Fingers of Death about, well, husbands and wives, death and dying, astronauts and a lone human arm missing its middle finger, which is the only thing to return to earth from a mission to mars.  It’s a bit unclear.  Told as a series of blog posts by astronaut Jed Edwards while on a mission to mars gone disastrously wrong—and including an expansive (and messy) zero-gravity sex scene—the story follows the four fingered arm that may hold the secret to reanimation or may simply be an infectious killing machine.  Commenting on everything from NAFTA’s economic impact to steroid use among professional baseball players, the corroding effects of the Internet and the increasingly crass entertainment industry, this is high satire.  As one reviewer put it, Moody “takes the inane and makes it sincere”—it’s unclear what’s inane about this B-movie-style space opera-novel, but that’s what he’ll explain.  Selected by the New Yorker as one of its original “20 under 40” writers to watch, 48 year-old Moody is back with his first novel in 5 years.

 

Guests:

Rick Moody, author of Garden State (1992), The Diviners (2005) and most recently The Four Fingers of Death (2010)

IN-STUDIO

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org

 

Rowland Heights streets to be improved

	Supervisor, Fourth District               822 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration              Los Angeles  90012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact:         Andrew J. Veis

                              (213) 974-1095 

 

 

COUNTY TO IMPROVE ROWLAND HEIGHTS ROADWAYS

 

LOS ANGELES, August 31, 2010 – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a project to reconstruct and resurface Pathfinder Road and Alexdale Lane in the unincorporated community of Rowland Heights, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today. The project is part of Los Angeles County’s continued efforts to improve infrastructure in the unincorporated areas.

 

“It is important that we look into ways to improve road quality and motorist safety throughout the County,” said Supervisor Knabe. “By making these improvements to Pathfinder Road and Alexdale Lane, not only will the residents of Rowland Heights benefit, but so will the residents of neighboring cities and our other unincorporated communities who drive these routes every day.”

 

The project will reconstruct and repave Pathfinder Road-Alexdale Lane to 300 feet west of the Brea Canyon cutoff in Rowland Heights. Additionally, the project includes reconstruction of adjacent curbs, gutters, curb ramps and sidewalks. The project is funded by the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Fund Budget. Construction is expected to begin in March 2011 and be completed by July 2011.

# # #

 

name correction: FW: report of closed session -- Board of Supervisors

It is Jon Gundry  -- please notice correction of the name for the interim superintendent.  (Earlier announcement had Paul Gundry.)

 

From: Hammond, Judy
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:02 PM
To: Hammond, Judy
Subject: report of closed session -- Board of Supervisors

 

REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN

                                                 CLOSED SESSION ON    

AUGUST 31, 2010

 

 

CS-1.      CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

                   (Subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 54956.9)

 

                   Initiation of Litigation (one case) (10-1969)

    

                   The Board authorized the County to file a petition for writ of mandate challenging the decision in the Civil Service Commission’s Case No. 09-1053.  The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.    

 

 

CS-2.      PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT                                                                                   

                   (Government Code Section 54957)

 

              Consideration of candidates for appointment to the position of

Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education. (10-2003)

              The Board appointed Jon Gundry as the Interim Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education effective September 1, 2010, and          instructed the Chief Executive Officer to return to the Board on September 7, 2010, with a recommended salary for approval.  The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.

 

 

CS-3.      DEPARTMENT HEAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

              (Government Code Section 54957)

 

              Department Head performance evaluation. (10-2004)

 

              No reportable action taken.

 

report of closed session -- Board of Supervisors

REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN

                                                 CLOSED SESSION ON    

AUGUST 31, 2010

 

 

CS-1.      CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

                   (Subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 54956.9)

 

                   Initiation of Litigation (one case) (10-1969)

    

                   The Board authorized the County to file a petition for writ of mandate challenging the decision in the Civil Service Commission’s Case No. 09-1053.  The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.    

 

 

CS-2.      PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT                                                                                   

                   (Government Code Section 54957)

 

              Consideration of candidates for appointment to the position of

Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education. (10-2003)

              The Board appointed Paul Gundry as the Interim Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education effective September 1, 2010, and          instructed the Chief Executive Officer to return to the Board on September 7, 2010, with a recommended salary for approval.  The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.

 

 

CS-3.      DEPARTMENT HEAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

              (Government Code Section 54957)

 

              Department Head performance evaluation. (10-2004)

 

              No reportable action taken.

 

Final: August 31 2010 AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS -- Board is in closed session

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

                           Board of Supervisors, County of Los Angeles  

                                                           

Contact:  Judy Hammond, Director of Public Affairs, (213) 974-1363

                 Brian Lew, Assistant Director, (213) 974-1652

Live videofeed, English and Spanish, Telco #948075      Audio–(213) 974-4700 or

                                                                                       (877) 873-8017 ext. 111111# English

                                                                                                               ext. 222222# Spanish

Agenda and supporting documents:  http://bos.co.la.ca.us/Categories/Agenda/AgendaHome.asp

Agenda Highlights: http://ceo.lacounty.gov/press.htm                                                       

 

       Aug. 31, 2010

               

Final Results: Aug. 31 Agenda Highlights

(Unless otherwise indicated, vote was 5-0.) 

 

$1 million proposal would allow Community Development Commission and Housing Authority to construct a headquarters in Alhambra to consolidate its three offices, with opening projected for June 2012.  (Item 3-D)  CONT. TO 9/7 BY RIDLEY-THOMAS

 

Recommendation would award $4.6 million to three agencies to provide the homeless and/or those at-risk of becoming homeless with assistance in obtaining housing/supportive services, and expand eligibility to residents of 19 additional cities.  (Item 4-D) APPROVED

 

Motion would oppose changes that would make it more difficult for businesses to operate within California Enterprise Zones.  (Item 2, cont. from 8/24)  APPROVED

 

Action would authorize necessary repairs to the pool at the Arcadia Community Regional Park to ensure it is open next summer.  (Item 3) APPROVED AS REVISED BY ANTONOVICH TO REQUIRE REPORT IN 30 DAYS ON WORK PLAN FOR THE POOL AND FOR REPLACING MANUAL CHEMICAL SYSTEMS AT NINE POOLS WITH AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEMS.

 

Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Michael D. Antonovich ask Board to urge federal officials to release $300,000 grant for Homeboy Industries, which provides job training/services for youthful offenders in the County’s probation system.  (Item 8)  REFERRED BACK TO RIDLEY-THOMAS OFFICE

 

Acceptance of $831,000 grant would fund the coordination of regional planning for mass care and shelter in the event of a catastrophe.  (Item 10) APPROVED

 

$290,000 proposal would fund onsite reviews of at least 75 child-care centers/family child-care homes participating in the Steps to Excellence Project, in effort to assign quality ratings.  (Item 11) APPROVED

 

Board asked to approve new rates for employee benefits, increasing an average of 6.6–7 percent for medical and 4–6 percent for dental, and decreasing 30.2 percent for life insurance and 15 percent for disability.  (Item 13) APPROVED

 

$746,700 proposal would fund contract to convert real property microfilm to digital images for the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to comply with state law.  (Item 16) APPROVED

 

$31 million proposal would replace outdated equipment and complete deferred repairs/upgrades to Public Works Department facilities.  (Item 21) APPROVED

 

Acceptance of $50,000 grant would partially fund purchase of two compressed natural gas-powered shuttle buses for the Sunshine Shuttle Service in South Whittier.  (Item 25) APPROVED

 

$1.2 million proposal would fund last phases of project to connect the County’s Emergency Operations Center to the federal operations center to allow the Sheriff’s Department to better manage and coordinate crisis situations.   (Item 37) APPROVED

 

Action would approve $185,000 partial settlement by U.S.A. Waste of California, et al., for remediation of environmental contamination at former Cal Compact Landfill in Carson.  (Item 40) APPROVED

 

Board asked to approve $750,000 settlement in lawsuit filed by Elida Mercedes Portillo concerning the use of deadly force by sheriff’s deputies.  (Item 41)   APPROVED

 

$121,500 settlement proposed for Walter Talley in lawsuit arising from allegations of excessive force by two sheriff’s deputies.  (Item 42) APPROVED

 

$790,000 settlement proposed for employee Katherine Voyer concerning allegations that she was subjected to employment discrimination, sexual harassment and violation of the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bills of Rights. (Item 43) APPROVED

 

Report scheduled on requirements and timelines for disclosure of child fatality information pursuant to SB39 and Welfare and Institutions Code 827, and a protocol for responding to SB39 requests and tracking such requests.  (Item 50)   APPROVED MOTION BY KNABE AND RIDLEY-THOMAS TO DEVELOP TIMETABLE AND PROCESS TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW, RECOMMEND SINGLE COUNTY OFFICE TO OVERSEE SB39 COMPLIANCE, AND DEVELOP PROCESS FOR WORKING WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEYAND LAW ENFORCEMENT ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

 

 Recommendation calls for establishing $20,000 reward for information leading to arrest and/or conviction of person(s) responsible for fatal traffic collision involving Alhambra resident Shih-Siang Ho in 2009.  (Item 51-A) APPROVED

 

Action would establish a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of person(s) responsible for arson fires of two churches in Lake Los Angeles and Lancaster on Aug. 25.  (Item 51-B)  APPROVED

 

 

Patt Morrison for Tuesday, August 31, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:58:30

OPEN

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Eldercare – as boomers age, will there be enough doctors, nurses and resources?

Baby boomers aren’t babies any more, not by a long shot, but the first of them are entering the stage of life where they may need more intensive and even more expensive care than children. By 2030, seventy million Americans will have turned 65, with those 85 and older making up the nation’s fastest growing age group. With health care reform rolling out, the country is already facing a shortage of doctors and nurses, and the Obama administration is spending half a billion dollars to support the training of health care providers at all levels. However, less attention is being paid to geriatric health issues.   How will this wave of elders needing increased attention and care affect a medical system already straining at the seams? 

 

David B. Reuben, MD, Director of the Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, and Chief of the Division of Geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

CALL HIM:

 

 

2:30 – 2:39

OPEN

 

 

2:41 – 2:58:30

California’s health insurance future – a conversation with Rep. John Garamendi

The healthcare overhaul law is here to stay. As states are deciding how to deal with implementing the new requirements, California has already come forward with a bill to set up its new healthcare exchange. But how will it all work? As a former State Insurance Commissioner, House Representative John Garamendi knows his stuff. The congressman talks to Patt about policies, implementation, and the economy of the new bill.

 

Guests:

Congressman John Garamendi, D-10^th District, representing Northern California.  He is former lieutenant governor and insurance commissioner for the state. He is a member of the House committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology, and Armed Services.

WILL CALL IN

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org

 

Patt Morrison for Monday, August 30, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, August 30, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:19

OPEN

 

 

1:21 – 1:58:30

Race for Lieutenant Governor

It might not be the most anticipated contest in this election cycle, but it is an important one none the less. California’s contest for the Lieutenant Governor comes down to two men who have high political aspirations and using this position both as a stepping stone to greener pastures and as a platform for their policies to improve the state of our state. The incumbent, Abel Maldonado, was a long time State Senator and member of the Assembly before going through a controversial appointment to office. His opponent San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome joined the Lieutenant Governor’s race after his bid for Governor of California fell short. Both believe they can add a crucial piece to California’s revival, but only one can get the job. We have them both in-studio to get the answers that will help you decide your vote.

 

Guest:

Abel Maldanado, Lt. Governor of California; Republican candidate for Lt. Governor

IN-STUDIO

• Maldonado was a State Senator from San Luis Obispo until he was appointed Lt. Governor by Gov. Schwarzenegger to replace John Garamendi.

 

Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco; Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor

IN STUDIO

 

 

2:06 – 2:39

OPEN

 

 

2:41 – 2:58:30

The Murder Room

Everyone’s heard of the literary detective extraordinaire Sherlock Holmes, but perhaps fewer have heard of the real life French detective, Eugene Francois Vidocq, who inspired Holmes’ character. Even fewer have heard of the Vidocq Society, a group of 82 of the world’s greatest detectives and investigators, which meets monthly to solve cold cases. Sounds like the plot to a new Hollywood thriller, right? Well it’s not – it really happens. In his new book, The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World’s Most Perplexing Cold Cases, journalist and author Michael Capuzzo highlights some of the Vidocq Society’s most famous cases while introducing readers to its founding members. Capuzzo turns up the heat on these cold cases and shares his stories with Patt.  

 

Guests:

Michael Capuzzo, the author of “The Murder Room” and ‘Close to Shore.’ He was a reporter for the Miami Herald and the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he wrote crime and police stories, among other things.

VIA ISDN

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org

 

Patt Morrison for Friday, August 27, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, August 27, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

1:30 - 1:58:30

Inside the Beltway with Politico’s David Mark

We’ve just had a round of primary elections around the country that may give a clue to where voters will land in November. The results of those ballots are just one thing that will be on the minds of our congressmen and women – and President Obama - as they return to Washington after their summer breaks. Add terrible jobs numbers, an economy that just won’t move into high gear, immigration issues, and stalled climate change legislation to that general and pervasive angst over upcoming mid-term elections… iieee!!  It’s a brew strong enough to bring grown men to their knees.  Politico’s senior editor, David Mark sits down with Patt to parse out the politics with a view from inside the Beltway. 

 

Guest:

David Mark, Senior Editor for Politico and author of “Going Dirty: The Art of Negative Campaigning”

IN STUDIO

 

 

2:06 – 2:58:30

Tales of two school districts: LAUSD’s huge disparities & how to fix them

Student A attends El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, one of the top-achieving public schools in the state, a school that is a regular finalist in national Academic Decathlon competitions with plenty of advanced placement classes available, located in a bucolic upper-middle class neighborhood. Student B attends Belmont Senior High School in Westlake, a struggling school with an unbelievable 60% drop out rate where 80% of its students qualify for federal free or reduced lunches and students’ proficiency rates in both math and reading hover around 50%. How can two schools in the same district produce such wildly different results? This is the tale of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which with 617,000 students is one of the nation’s largest and most unwieldy, with huge disparities in access to good classrooms, teachers and coursework. Patt and her guests hear stories from students themselves about the differing experiences of going to school in the LAUSD and what can be done to bridge the educational gap.

 

ON TAPE

 

1^st panel guests:

Yomila Xoy, senior at the Civitas School of Leadership magnet at Edward R. Roybal Learning Center

• She hopes to attend Pomona College in 2011

 

Anastasya Lloyd-Damnjanovic, graduate of Marshall High School Class of 2010; she attended the School for Advanced Studies at Marshall

• She will be attending Princeton

 

Izabella Ferayan, graduate of Daniel Pearl Magnet School Class of 2010

• She will be attending UC Santa Barbara

 

Natalie Aguilar, graduate of Grant High School Class of 2010; she attended the Social Justice Small Learning Center at Grant

• She is attending UCLA

 

Mabel Sanchez, graduate of Huntington Park High School Class of 2010

• She is attending UCLA

 

Aden Binyam, graduate of University High School Class of 2010

• She is attending Cal State Northridge

 

 

2^nd panel guests:

Sylvia Rousseau, professor of clinical education at the USC Rossier School of Education

• Rousseau was the principal of Santa Monica High School from 1993 – 2000
• She was the Superintendent of Local District 7 in the LAUSD from 2001 - 2005

 

Brock Cohen, English & humanities teacher at Grant High School in North Hollywood

 

Rev. Eric Lee, president & CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org

 

Supervisors urge passage of plastic bag ban

 

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

Susan Nissman 818-880-9416 (o)  213-458-4222 (c)

 

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

Ed Maddox 213 974-222 (o) 213 361-6980 (c)

James Bolden 213 974-2222 (o) 213 300-5314 (c)

 

August 26, 2010                                                                                                         

LA COUNTY SUPERVISORS REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO PASSING

PLASTIC BAG BAN IF SACRAMENTO FAILS TO PASS AB 1998

 

LOS ANGELES (August 26, 2010) —Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mark Ridley-Thomas today demonstrated their commitment to protect Southern California from plastic marine debris by reaffirming their support of a ban on plastic bags in Los Angeles County if the State fails to enact Assembly Bill 1998 (Brownley) —The Single-Use Bag Reduction Act. 

 

“Los Angeles County has been at the forefront of reducing the disproportionate and costly environmental impacts of single-use plastic grocery bags, which in the last few decades have become a ubiquitous symbol of our throwaway society.  We urge the legislature to pass AB 1998,” stated Supervisor Yaroslavsky.

 

“Local governments in Los Angeles County have spoken loud and clear –we need Sacramento to partner with us” said L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “I urge my former colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation to ensure California remains a leader in environmental stewardship.”

 

In April of 2007, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion to investigate a ban on single use plastic bags.  In 2008, at the strong urging of the plastics industry, the Board initiated a program through which stores were encouraged to voluntarily reduce the use of plastic bags; with the caveat that if benchmark reductions were not met, a ban would be considered.  These benchmarks have not been met.  The County has also completed the development of an Environmental Impact Report evaluating the impacts of a plastic bag ban.  This EIR, which is being finalized in preparation for submittal to the Board, has determined that, contrary to claims by the plastics industry, there are no significant environmental impacts directly caused by banning single use plastic bags. 

 

The County has also sponsored and supported Statewide single-use plastic bag legislation for the last three years.  Each year the State Legislature has failed to adopt a comprehensive, uniform Statewide policy restricting single use plastic bags.  Most recently, on June 1, 2010 the Board of Supervisors voted to support the passage of AB 1998.  AB 1998, authored by local Assemblymember Julia Brownley, has already been approved by the state Assembly and is expected to be voted upon by the California Senate before the end of August. The bill would ban the distribution of single-use plastic bags and allow for 40 percent post-consumer content recycled paper bags to be sold at cost at supermarkets, large retail pharmacies, and foodmarts. The bill does not impose new fees on consumers; instead it makes the cost of bags visible to consumers, who can then make their own decision to choose reusable bags and save money.  Single-use plastic bags are already banned in many jurisdictions around the world and California’s municipalities are preparing to do the same.

 

L.A. County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mark Ridley-Thomas reaffirmed their commitment to bringing a local ban to a vote later this year, should the State once again fail to take action.  “Although we believe strongly that a uniform Statewide policy on plastic bags is preferable, we cannot wait another year for Sacramento to act.  If AB 1998 does not pass, Los Angeles County will not only consider passing an Ordinance, but will strongly encourage each of the 88 cities within Los Angeles County to enact similar bans.” 

 

L.A. County is joined by Marin County and the Cities of Berkeley, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, Pasadena, Richmond, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Monica, among others, in moving forward with their own plastic bans.

 

 

###