Calif. Lawmakers Return From Recess To Consider Array of Pending Bills
On Monday, California legislators are scheduled to return from their summer recess and begin efforts to address a slew of issues during the four weeks remaining in the current legislative session, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Lawmakers are set to consider several pending bills, including AB 119 by Assembly member Dave Jones (D-Sacramento). The measure would prohibit health insurers from charging different rates based on gender.
Other legislative issues likely to surface in the coming weeks include:
- Raising cigarette taxes by $1.50 per pack;
- Reducing pension obligations for newly hired public workers;
- Reforming the state's prison system; and
- Restoring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) recent line-item vetoes, which cut an additional $489 million from state health and social programs.