Opponents of the proposed redistricting lines that would be used in the 2012 California Senate elections will get to make their case before the California Supreme Court on January 10th. Fairness and Accountability in Redistricting (FAIR) submitted over 711,000 signatures along with a referendum challenging the new district maps. FAIR feels the new maps violate state Constitution by failing to respect existing city and county borders…
A new California state law requires children eight and under to use booster seats in cars until they reach the height of 4’ 9”. Standard seat belts are not designed for children – the lap belt often rests too high on their midsection and the shoulder strap is too near the neck and face – so booster seats can be used to help fix the problem. Fines for violations start at $100…
Also starting today, socially-conscious corporations may register as “benefit corporations” in the state of California. Benefit corporations are still for-profit businesses, but they are required to consider the social and environmental impacts of their financial decisions. The new designation protects businesses from being sued by angry shareholders for putting public good before profit...
An AIDS activist group is collecting signatures for a Los Angeles County ballot initiative that would aim to protect the occupational rights of porn stars. Just as construction workers are required to wear hardhats and harnesses, actors in pornographic films would be required to wear condoms while filming to protect against HIV infections. Industry opponents argue that actors are already protected if they get tested regularly…
It's not just porn stars who need protection. Bank of America has begun cutting lines of credit for small businesses. Customers are being offered two options: pay off their debt in full, or enroll in a new payment plan with much higher interest. Small businesses, many of which are already struggling, are unenthusiastic about either course of action. Bank of America says that the affected businesses were given a one-year early warning, but many business owners say they never received the notifications.
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