By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host
Good news out of Sacramento, which is something hard to come by these days, came to me through the Facebook page of California Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (my representative, and probably the most conservative member of the California legislature). She explained in her Facebook post that the author of A.B. 2943, the “conversion therapy” bill, has chosen to shelve the bill, for now. He says he hopes to “find consensus” with “religious communities” who oppose the bill.
This is not to say California’s democrats are suddenly becoming reasonable:
⚬ California lawmakers approved a bill this week that would expand the list of people who could ask a court for a gun violence restraining order, reports said. AB2888 passed the state Senate 25-12. It would allow co-workers and school personnel to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from someone they believe poses a danger
⚬ Suspects awaiting trial in California will now have their bail eliminated, according to a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday.
In lieu of bail, suspects will be gauged under a risk-assessment system, although the details of the program, which will take effect in October 2019, were not immediately clear.
Suspects looking at serious, violent felonies won’t be eligible for release prior to trial but the majority of suspects arrested for nonviolent misdemeanors will be let go within 12 hours of being booked, according to the legislation.
The bill gives officials 24 hours to determine whether other suspects should be released before trial. That time can be extended by 12 hours if necessary.
What this means is that criminals will dismiss court orders. Our criminal justice system has already been weakened by AB 109, Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, and as a result crime is on the rise. Now, bail agents will also no longer be able to serve as boots-on-the-ground. Criminals will now receive nothing but a notice to appear, with little to no consequences if they do not show up in court.
The bill, which must now be approved by Gov. Jerry Brown, would require student health centers at public universities to offer medication abortion as a “basic health service.” The measure would take effect in 2022 and be funded through a College Student Health Center Sexual and Reproductive Health Preparation Fund made up of private, rather than state, funds.
California would be the first state to mandate providing medication abortions at public universities if the bill goes through.
⚬ Californians will have to tighten their water belts following Gov. Jerry Brown’s actions after he signed two new laws that will require cities and water districts to set permanent water conservation rules for both indoor and outdoor water consumption regardless of how dry or wet we get from year to year.
⟹ Oh, and let’s not forget the public ban of cigars and cigarettes during this “let’s legalize marijuana” and allow meth dens in San Francisco period in American History …
