6 bills the governor must sign
As of Friday, more than 600 bills passed by the Legislature awaited the governor’s signature before the Oct. 15 deadline. Some address community concerns long in need of attention; some favor one interest over another; some are specious. The Chronicle has endorsed these six and urges Gov. Jerry Brown to sign them into law. Here’s why: Gender pay gap (AB1209):
The opportunity for women to earn a good life is diminished when men are paid more for similar work. Studies persistently show a gender gap in pay in California and beyond. This bill marshals transparency to spotlight inequities by requiring large companies to submit median and average salary data by gender and job classification to the state. Drug prices (SB17):
Transparency is needed, too, from drugmakers to address the most-often-heard complaint in Sacramento from constituents — that drug prices are rising too fast and too high for families to keep up. Sen. Ed Hernandez, DWest Covina (Los Angeles County) has doggedly worked to require that the prescription drug industry notify state and private insurers before raising prices. This time, his effort must succeed. Nonbinary gender (SB179):
We can argue it is a civil right for individuals who do not identify as either male or female or with the gender assigned at birth to have accurate representation. We also can acknowledge that having the state affirm their nonbinary gender bestows respect on an aggrieved community and harms no one. Since July, Oregon residents can select M, F or X as their gender on licenses and ID cards. California residents should have that option, too. Rape kits (AB41):
Public outrage over untested rape kits languishing in police evidence lockers for years prompted Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, to write a bill that requires law enforcement to report rape kits as they are collected and examined, or explain why they are not. How is it that DNA evidence is collected from rape victims but never tested, leaving victims without closure and rapists at large? March primary election (SB568): California, the most populous and diverse state, hardly has a say in electing a president. Why? Because our last-in-the-country primary election allows others to determine the presidential contenders. Moving California’s presidential primary to March indefinitely would make California’s voice heard. Political ad funding disclosure (AB249):
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-San Mateo, is determined to let voters know who funds political ads, be they print, television, audio or digital. This bill improves standards for disclosures of who the campaign donors are — and whose interests are served.