A Free Press is a Cornerstone of Our Democracy

Recently, a Reuters photographer took a picture of George Bush’s speech for the opening of the new White House Press Room. As you can see from the picture, Bush crossed out the line, about a free press being one of the “cornerstones” of our democracy.

Assemblyman Mark Leno, on the other hand, strongly disagrees. Upon Assembly passage of legislation to provide journalists greater access to prisoners, the Associated Press reported:

The news media would be given greater access to interview prison inmates under legislation approved earlier this week by the state Assembly, setting the stage for a showdown with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“All it does is bring some transparency to the operation of state prisons,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. “It’s about time the taxpayers get to know how the dollars are being spent within our prison system.”

Additionally Assemblyman Leno is fighting for a federal shield law for journalists.

The state Assembly on Thursday urged Congress to provide legal protections for journalists who seek to keep their sources confidential when judges or federal authorities ask for them.

It was the second time in two years lawmakers endorsed a nonbinding resolution urging Congress to enact a federal shield law.

“The federal government has yet to pay attention to us. We want to keep our voice clear and strong,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, a co-author of the resolution. “Without it, the government is in a position to make use of reporters as their personal investigators. That does not serve Democracy well.”

The resolution passed 73-0 in the 80-member chamber.

This is a very important issue for democracy:

“The framers of the Constitution understood very well that a truly free society demands a press without government obstruction,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “In an age when our cherished freedoms are vanishing at the hand of our own Federal Government, we must do everything in our power to uphold the democratic principles our country was founded on. Without a federal shield law, I worry about a dramatic and chilling effect on our freedom of the press and journalistic integrity in America.”

Indeed.

NBC 11 on Industrial Hemp

More legislative progress in Sacramento:

A bill allowing California farmers to grow a controversial product passed the California Senate Public Safety committee Tuesday, NBC11’s Mike Luery reported.

The proposed pilot program would allow California farmers to grow industrial hemp.

“Thirty countries around the world are growing this. Of course, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp. The sails of the Nina, Pinto and Santa Maria were made from industrial hemp as were the draft copies of the Constitution,” said San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno, who co-authored the bill.

With bi-partisan support!

Hemp is used in everything from soap to clothing to food products. It’s a multimillion-dollar industry that some conservative Republicans are supporting. Irvine Assemblyman Chuck Devore co-authored the bill.

“It’s nice that we can make money off of this,” Devore said. “It’s nice that it’ll boost the California economy; but to me, this is a freedom issue. This is about freeing American farmers to grow a crop that is legally imported into the United States every day.” [...]

The hemp bill still has a few hurdles ahead, but with some key Republicans and Democrats joining together, supporters said they believe this measure will reach the governor’s desk.

Here is video of Assemblyman Mark Leno discussing the bill:

Marriage Equality Measure Clears Key Senate Hurdle

From a press release:

SACRAMENTO, CA— The Senate Judiciary Committee moved California one step closer today toward recognizing and respecting the love and commitment that hundreds of thousands of same sex couples share by approving Assemblyman Mark Leno’s AB 43, which would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state.

“I am buoyed by the support of my legislative colleagues who share the belief that denying anyone the basic human right to marry the person she or he loves is completely contrary to our cherished constitutional foundation that all people are equal in the eyes of the law,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “I look forward to the day that all couples regardless of their sexual orientation, are able to pursue their dreams and care for their children with full and legal protection.”

Assembly Bill 43 is nearly identical to AB 849 of 2005, which was the first proactive marriage equality legislation in the history of the United States to pass both houses of a state legislature. AB 43 would amend Section 300 of the Family Code to define marriage as a civil contract between two persons instead of a civil contract between a man and a woman. The measure respects one’s religious choice by reaffirming that no religious institution would ever be required to solemnize marriages contrary to its fundamental beliefs.

The measure is sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), the statewide LGBT civil rights advocacy organization. “Marriage is universally recognized and respected around the world and for many people is one of life’s most significant milestones,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “Same-sex couples in California have lived with domestic partnerships for many years, but they continue to be treated differently than married spouses. LGBT Californians want the choice to marry so that we can live our lives with the same dignity and freedom that everyone deserves.”

Currently, same-sex couples can register with the State of California as domestic partners, affording them hundreds of protections. However, same-sex couples in California and their families still are not eligible for more than a thousand federal protections offered to married couples, including family and medical leave, social security benefits, long-term care insurance and the ability to sponsor a partner for immigration benefits. Additionally, a 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling put it succinctly by declaring that the denial of marriage equality on the basis of sexual orientation is "arbitrary," and reinforces the stereotype that all people are not created equal.

AB 43 is co-authored by 27 Assemblymembers and 14 Senators, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senator President Pro Tempore Don Perata. A broad coalition of over 250 civil rights organizations and leaders are in support of the measure, including the NAACP California State Conference, United Farm Workers, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Chinese for Affirmative Action, CA Teachers Association, CA Nurses Association, CA National Organization for Women, ACLU and CA Church Impact, among many others.

AB 43 will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Hopefully, this critical civil rights legislation will pass the senate. You can help by contacting your state senator today.

Assemblyman Mark Leno in Sacramento Bee

Yesterday’s Sacramento Bee featured an Op-Ed column by Friends of the Earth vice president Russell Long and MoveOn co-founder Joan Blades on Assemblymember Mark Leno’s efforts protect Californians from toxic fire-retardants:

Babies are especially vulnerable because they crawl or climb on furniture and carpeting treated with fire retardants, and they also absorb these from their mothers’ breast milk, which in California represents the highest levels found anywhere in the world, according to scientists.

This is especially troubling in light of recent studies that link fire retardant exposure to cancer, birth defects, autism, hyperactivity, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and a host of other problems.

At the same time, fire statistics don’t show that these chemicals are actually saving lives, which explains why firefighter organizations throughout the state are supporting the elimination of the brominated and chlorinated fire retardants used in furniture and bedding products.

In marked contrast to the California’s national leadership on other environmental issues such as global warming or automobile smog, state regulations on fire safety have actually caused a national problem. This is because furniture makers find it uneconomical to carry two sets of inventory, so many build only California-compliant furniture regardless of where it is sold in the United States.

Clearly, the state needs to go in a new direction.

Indeed. And it is great to see the support this legislation has been receiving.

A precedent-setting bill by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, that would ban brominated and chlorinated fire retardants in furniture, mattresses and bedding is being heard in the Senate. Supported by professional firefighters, furniture makers, and environmental groups, this bill is a good first step toward making our homes and our children safe from toxic chemicals.

Also, Sacramento Bee recently editorialized in favor of Assemblyman Leno’s Complete Streets legislation:

They’re the blight of suburbia and many city neighborhoods — multilane streets and boulevards that accommodate only cars. They have no bike lanes. No sidewalks. No pull-outs for bus transit. No trees. No medians or crosswalks so kids and other pedestrians can safely cross to get to schools, shops or retirement villages.

You can see these types of streets all over the urbanized parts of Sacramento County and in many other California communities. These high-speed blacktops are one reason that, each year in California, cars kill about 700 pedestrians and injure 14,000 others.

These boulevards of death now have a polite name — incomplete streets. In a perfect world, incomplete streets would be outlawed and phased out of existence. Yet short of such bold action, lawmakers could take action this year to encourage more complete streets as communities plan for future growth. They could enact Assembly Bill 1358, by Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, which requires local governments to accommodate all users of the road when revising the circulation element of their general plans.

This important legislation deserves bi-partisan support:

Leno’s bill passed the Assembly, but it was a party-line vote, with nearly all Republicans opposed. This is mystifying. Last time we checked, Republicans walked on two legs and occasionally rode bikes. Why the opposition to this bill?

Legislative analysts say it would cost a mere $150,000 for the Office of Planning and Research to develop “complete street” guidelines mandated by AB 1358. The total cost for local governments to follow these guidelines would be about $500,000 in some years. Here in our region, Sacramento, Davis, Roseville, Folsom and other communities are already building complete streets.

As California’s population gets older, alternatives to the automobile will become even more important. At the moment, about one-fifth of California elderly don’t drive, either because they can’t or choose not to. The population over 65 is projected to double by 2030, which is why the California Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons supports this bill.

AB 1358’s next stop is the Senate Local Government Committee. This bill deserves to pass without a single nay vote. There’s no reason why protecting kids, the elderly and other people afoot should be a partisan issue.

Measure to Allow Farmers to Grow Industrial Hemp Wins Approval from Key Senate Committee

From a press release:

SACRAMENTO, CA — Assembly Bill 684, authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine), which would give California farmers the opportunity to grow industrial hemp and take part in this multimillion dollar industry, passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday on a vote of 3 to 1. Amendments were taken necessary to move the bill forward that would pilot hemp farming to four counties— (Kings, Mendocino, Imperial and Yolo—for a five year period.)

“California farmers are currently shut-out of a multimillion dollar industry because we don’t allow our farmers to grow industrial hemp, and we force California manufacturers to buy hemp seed, oil and fiber from other countries,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno. “Our enterprising and innovative farmers should not be hindered by senseless regulation. It’s my hope that by giving farmers in these counties the opportunity to supply a $270 million industry that’s growing by $26 million each year, that other counties won’t be far behind.”

Sponsored by Vote Hemp, AB 684 would regulate commercial industrial hemp farming in California, a variety of cannabis that grows up to 16 feet tall, resembles bamboo, and has no psychoactive properties. Under the bill, industrial hemp is defined as cannabis varieties having 0.3% THC or less and its cultivation is only permitted as an agricultural field crop or in a research setting. Cultivation in groves, yards, or other locations is prohibited.

“We can import hemp, we can process it into shampoo, plastics, and food, but we won’t let American farmers grow it,” said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, who is authoring the measure along with Leno. “This bill will free our farmers to compete with foreign farmers in growing hemp, a non-drug, legal and safe crop.”

Industrial hemp is one of nature’s strongest fibers and is processed throughout the world for body care products, food, paper, clothing, automotive parts, building materials, and numerous other uses. The seed has many nutritional benefits because it contains essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 commonly found in fish, and is an alternative source of protein. Hemp also has strong environmental benefits. It’s a source for paper that could enable us to save our trees for higher end uses such as lumber. Hemp requires little or no agricultural chemicals, smothers weeds, and improves soil conditions, making it an excellent rotational crop in both organic and conventional farming.

Today, more than 30 industrialized nations grow industrial hemp and many export it to the U.S. AB 684 has tight controls on industrial hemp production that relieve law enforcement of the burden of having to discern legal hemp from illegal marijuana in common drug busts. Additionally, the amendments are meant to allay law enforcement concerns by giving the State the opportunity to evaluate the program before extending it.

The U.S. Congress has never expressly prohibited the cultivation of industrial hemp, but federal regulators have inferred that prohibition from a long-standing definition of marijuana in U.S. law. However, when that definition was debated in Congress in 1937, Senators and Representatives were told that domestic production of industrial hemp would not be prohibited.

The bill will be heard next in the Senate Public Safety Committee on July 10th.

It makes no sense that this doesn’t have 100% support — this is the definition of common sense legislation.

Mark Leno on Elections and Public Records

Elections and Public Records

Here is a sample of some of the public record bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I’ve also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 1046: Electronic Option for Voter Information Guides

This bill will allow a voter to choose not to receive a hard copy of the Voter Information Guide once it becomes available online at the Secretary of States website, saving postage and paper costs.

2006

AB 2927: California Public Records Act Posting and Enforcement

This bill requires all state agencies with an Internet website to include specific information on how a person may make a California Public Records Act request, including the name and contact information of staff trained to provide this information. It also requires specific public records to be maintained on the public agency’s website and establishes penalties for failure to disclose records that are obviously public.

AB 2946: Initiative Reform

AB 2946 is a comprehensive approach to reforming California’s initiative process, requiring signature gatherers to disclose if they are paid or volunteer and requiring petitions to list the top three financial contributors to the initiative. It would also prohibit paying a person on a per-signature basis for gathering signatures, registering voters, or distributing absentee ballot applications, and would hold signature gathering firms and initiative proponents liable for violations of these and other provisions of election law.

2005

AB 1391: Political Reform Act Loophole Closure

This bill closes a loophole in the Political Reform Act. Currently, election committees need not follow local election regulations if they are registered as a state election committee, regardless of whether they participate in local elections or not. This bill would require that any committee that participates in a local election must follow local disclosure requirements.

2004

AB 1866: Prisoner Media Access

Currently, reporters are prohibited from face-to-face interviews with prisoners and are banned from using writing materials or recording devices in California prisons. AB 1866 would o allow media representatives to conduct in-person interviews with prisoners, including prearranged interviews. In conducting the interviews, a media representative would be able use any supplies needed to conduct the interview, including writing materials and recording devices. The measure would also permit a media representative to accept confidential correspondence from a prisoner under certain circumstances.

AB 714: Disabled Voting Rights

Federal money has been recently been made available through the Help America Vote Act to help improve voting accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. This bill would help make resources available during all elections, as opposed to just during federal elections.

AB 2842: Campaign Finance Loan Loophole Closure

On January 27th of this year, a judge determined that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $.5 million in bank loans to his campaign for Governor were illegal and that the monies must be paid back by Mr. Schwarzenegger personally rather than raised through contributions. Since that time, legislative candidates have continued taking out bank loans in violation of the spirit of the Court’s ruling. This measure would make that ruling law.

2003

AB 578: Electronic Recording Act

This measure would set up a framework under which County Assessors and Recorders could receive documents electronically.  Most Assessors and Recorders already operate electronically upon receipt of paper-based documents.  In 2002, the Attorney General indicated that receipt of electronic recordings by County Assessors and Recorders requires legislative authorization.

-Mark