Sustain LAist today!

Your monthly gift during our June member drive powers our local newsroom.
1,485 sustainers of 2,500 goal
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Another Dumb California Law

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

You may or may not be aware of a new state law that went into effect on January 1, 2008. We were reminded of this a couple days ago, driving west on Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills.

Effective Jan 2008 / No smoking allowed / Inside a vehicle / When a Minor is with you

This is important and effective legislation because -- why?!? It is often laughable how the term "liberal" applies to the California legislature not as a derivative of liberty, but more literally, as the over-zealous tendency to invent superfluous laws of little societal or governmental relevance.Why not just outlaw cigarettes altogether, or impose a steeper tax. Is there really any point in pulling over a suspected smoker and then carding the passenger all for a total possible fine of $100? Allowing California to fall into deepening deficit (at $8 billion and expected to double) is what should be illegal, not whether or not one smokes cigarettes (or crack or tigerlily extract) in your house, your car, or in the presence of minors.

Really, California, our federal government is helpless enough as it is. Can't we at least be purpose-driven in our own state?

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today