AB 934—Voter Identification Measure; The Future of the California Coastal Commission; Democratic Plan to Lower California’s Gas Tax; Jane Fonda: My Life So Far
AB 934—Voter Identification Measure
On Tuesday, the California state assembly held a debate on a voter identification measure introduced by Assemblyman Mark Wyland (R-Del Mar). The bill, AB 934, would prohibit a person from registering to vote unless he or she could provide proof of citizenship. It would also require voters to present identification—such as a driver’s license or other government-issued ID or at least two pieces of identification containing the voter’s name and address—before casting a ballot. Proponents of AB 934 say the measure will protect the rights of citizens while opponents say the bill presents unnecessary obstacles in the voting process. Mark Wyland, California State Assemblyman for the 74th Assembly district in northern San Diego County, and Antonio Gonzales, President of the SW Voter Registration and Education Project, join guest host Jon Beaupre.
The Future of the California Coastal Commission
On Wednesday, Justices from the California State Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of the makeup of the California Coastal Commission, the body created in 1972 to stem uncontrolled development of California’s coastline. At issue is how the commission’s 12 members are appointed. As it stands, the state Senate appoints 4 commissioners; the state Assembly appoints four, and the Governor appoints the remaining four. Critics question how the Commission can operate with appointees from the legislative branch, when it wields executive power. Two lower courts have agreed with critics of the commission, and today, the Attorney General’s office will defend the California Coastal Commission. If the State Supreme Court justices agree with the Commission’s critics, what becomes of the Commission’s rulings since 1976? Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, and Matt Kubicek, associate attorney at the Zumbrun Law firm, the firm that represents the Marine Forests Society join guest host Jon Beaupre to discuss the issue.
Democratic Plan to Lower California’s Gas Tax
Assembly Democrats unveiled a plan yesterday to lower gas taxes by 11 cents a gallon, while increasing the sales tax by a quarter cent to make up for the gas tax cut. Guest Host Jon Beaupre hosts a bipartisan discussion about the merits of this idea. Joining him is John Benoit, Republican Assemblyman for the 64th district, and John Laird, Democratic Assemblyman for the 27th Assembly District.
Jane Fonda: My Life So Far
Actress Jane Fonda has a new book called My Life So Far (Random House). In it, she discusses her films, her turbulent marriage to Roger Vadim, her activism, including what she now admits was her disastrous “Hanoi Jane” mistake, her marriages to Tom Hayden and Ted Turner, and much more.