Cities and counties will now be able to create local ordinances banning mobile billboards on streets, thanks to a state bill that was approved by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday. Unattended unhitched trailers left on city streets have been an... more ›

A bill that would allow cities and counties to regulate mobile billboard advertising displays was approved by the state legislature last week, sending it to the Governor's desk for approval. Unhitched advertising trailers dot the San Fernando Valley and are seen as blight to community members, a safety hazard to some officials and a source for exasperation in areas where parking is scarce. more ›

In California, it's a crime to give alcohol to a teen, but if something bad happens, say death from alcohol poisoning, state law protects you from civil prosecution. Now a bill to allow civil suits over the issue has been approved by the state legislature and heads to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk. more ›

A state bill that would prohibit health insurers from raising customers’ rates more than once per year took was approved by the Assembly's Health Committee today. “This measure complements the recent federal health reforms by ensuring that health insurers are prohibited from raising their rates multiple times per year. If insurers raise rates when their subscribers aren’t expecting an increase, cash-strapped families could be forced to give up their coverage,” said Mike Feuer, the L.A. Assemblymember who authored the bill, which heads to another committee next. News of rising healthcare insurance costs, most notably Anthem's 39% proposed increased, prompted Feuer to write the bill. more ›

A state assembly bill seeking to ban mobile billboards on county and city streets where no local laws address them was approved in a committee this morning. AB 2756, authored by two Democrat Los Angeles assemblymembers, is in response to numerous community complaints about these advertisement, which many contend blight city streets, take up parking and endanger residents. more ›

Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-West Hollywood) has introduced a moratorium bill that would apply to 877 billboards approved to be converted to digital. "The new law would also prohibit advertising on official changeable message signs, which convey information to motorists about Amber Alerts, traffic conditions, and emergencies," a statement from his office said today. If passed, the legislation will halt the construction and conversion of digital displays for three years, enough time for policymakers to review pending safety studies and potential hazards from the electronic type of ads. more ›

If you've been following state Assembly Bill 2321, which simply allows Metro to place a half-cent sales tax increase proposal on this November's ballot, it's been a long, long summer. more ›

Even though it is Labor Day weekend and the state has entered into a historic period without a budget, good news came Sunday for public transportation advocates and well-wishers. AB2321, the bill that would allow Metro to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot that could raise $30-40 billion for transportation projects over the next 30 years, took another critical step: the state Assembly passed it. That means two more steps until Los Angeles has higher taxes, but better public transportation: governor Schwarzenegger must sign the bill (he promised not to sign any until the budget mess was over, but he is wishy washy) and the people of LA County must vote for it. more ›

The deadline to get props, measures and initiatives on this November's ballot is August 10. As for the proposed half-cent increase in sales tax for LA County for transportation projects, it has to go through a series of agonizing legal approvals to even make it to the point where the people get to vote on it. Metro has already approved it and the County Board of Supervisors will vote on it later today. But the most critical piece right now is the passage of AB 2321, which will make room for the sales tax increase on the ballot. The Senate Appropriations Committee looked at it yesterday, but tabled it to Thursday, August 8, according to Streetsblog LA. If it makes it out of committee later this week (here's how you can help), then it goes to the full state senate for approval. Nothing like a little stress over something that is not final until the people have the last word. Sigh. more ›

Metro has voted to ask LA County residents on the November ballot on whether or not to raise the sales tax a half-penny for transit projects. However, the state has still not fully finished their process enabling the sales tax to be raised, more ›

The political battle to keep the Los Angeles River officially a river after is heating up. Earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps issued a finding stating that only two small portions of the Los Angeles River constitute as "traditional navigable waters" under the Clean Water Act. more ›

As an assembly bill that would enable Metro to put a half-cent sales tax increase on November's ballot makes its way towards the state Senate this month, a report released from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) said that such an increase would only cost people $25 extra per year (if the sales tax rate goes up, it will go from 8.25% to 8.75%, "translating to an extra 50 cents in taxes for every $100 you spend on goods and service," says Road Sage Steve Hymon). more ›

LA County's sales tax is already one of the highest in the state, but in the name of fixing this traffic and transportation problem (in which money seems to be the cure, according to some), Los Angeles based state assemblyman Mike Feuer has gotten his legislation, AB 2321, passed. It allows the Metro Board to place a proposal on November's ballot asking voters to raise the sales tax by a half-cent. "That would take the sales tax rate from 8.25% to 8.75%, translating to an extra 50 cents in taxes for every $100 you spend on goods and services," explains Steve Hymon at the LA Times' Bottleneck Blog. more ›

A local state assemblyman has proposed a bill that could end up adding a fee to driver registrations or gas at the pumps in Los Angeles County. The West Hollywood based Mike Feuer, who sits on the state's Transportation committee, has put in AB2558 that would either add $90 to annual registrations or 9-cents per gallon of gas. more ›

Saturday morning was the first community meeting to discuss the Hollywood Freeway Central Park. Meeting in an elementary school auditorium, like they do in the Simpsons, those that attended saw Assemblyman Mike Feuer, LA City Council President Eric Garcetti and others speak about this park and the story behind it. more ›

Daily News has a report on what Valley state representatives are planning to bring to the table in 2008, many of them green such as Glendale Democrat Paul Krekorian's push to have the state use more renewable energy while giving grants to local municipalities and school districts for that and reusable water. He also is looking into "permeable concrete," which lets water seep into the ground versus into a storm drain to the ocean. more ›

Jack-In-The-Can by RNL more ›

State Assemblymember Mike Feuer represents the 42nd District, which includes parts of Hollywood, West Hollywood, the Westside, Sherman Oaks and Studio City -- basically, hill hugging 'hoods. more ›