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Federal Appeals Court Scheduled to Hear California Game Law Case
October 29th is shaping up as a big day for the video game industry.
On that morning, oral arguments concerning California's contested 2005 video game law will be heard by judges of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court in Sacramento.
As GamePolitics readers may recall, the law crafted by then-Assemblyman Leland Yee restricted the sale of "ultra-violent" games to minors. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed it into law on October 7th, 2005 but a federal court injunction blocked the measure from going into effect.
In August, 2007 U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte ruled that the law was unconstitutional. Gov. Schwarzenegger, who has been enriched by his portrayal in several violent games (see pic), made the decision to appeal the ruling not long after. The actual appeal was filed in January of this year.
Given the late October time frame, a decision from the 9th Circuit won't likely come until well into 2009.
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Regardless of whether or not you think violent video games have a negative impact on a child's mental health is irrelevant.
What most politicians (and other people) don't realize is that when you ban the sale of M-rated games to minors, you make censorship actionable by law, which is supposed to be prevented by the First Amendment. Few people know that it's not actually illegal for minors to buy R movies (porn is in a different category), but most stores have a policy that requires you to be at least 17. Plus, nearly all parents understand the MPAA rating system, while they refuse to educate themselves about the ESRB and then buy their kids "Super Fun Kill Game" without knowing what they're doing.
If this doesn't make it, we're screwed. October 29th is shaping up as a big day for the video game industry. ... more -
Is Pay-As-You-Go Car Insurance a Good Idea?
"Legislation is currently underway in California" that would make this possible and Progressive has a similar option to its customers in other states. Progressive's program requires access to when and how you drive. California officals will not make that part of the policy. Is this a crucial difference in ideas? Do you think that's too much informaton released?
Safe drivers might like Progressive's idea because they hope that they will be rewarded for their great driving with lower rates. I personally don't see that as the case. What do you think? "Legislation is currently underway in California" that would make this possible and Progressive has a similar option to its ... more -
California Legislators Take on Urban Sprawl
The California Legislature is on the verge of adopting the nation's first law to control planet-warming gases by curbing sprawl. The bill, sponsored by incoming state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), is expected to pass the Assembly today and the Senate on Friday.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the bill, but sponsors expect him to sign it once the state passes a budget.
The legislation, SB 375, would offer incentives to steer public funds away from sprawled development. The state spends about $20 billion a year on transportation, and under the new law, projects that meet climate goals would get priority.
An earlier version of the bill was blocked last year by the building industry and by organizations representing cities and counties. Developers feared their suburban projects would be delayed or halted. Local officials were wary of ceding zoning powers and transportation planning to the state.
But momentum for the legislation has grown as the state seeks to implement its landmark 2006 global warming law, which would slash California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 30% cut from expected emissions. To accomplish that, state officials say, fuel-efficient cars and factories won't be enough. Subdivisions, commercial centers and highways must be planned so that Californians can live and work closer together, reducing the amount they drive.
"Our communities must change the way they grow," Steinberg said. The California Legislature is on the verge of adopting the nation's first law to control planet-warming gases by curbing sprawl. ... more -
Gay marriages worth $684 million
SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The flowers have been selected, the Veterans' Memorial Center has been booked, and the three-piece band has been chosen. The e-invitations have gone out and relatives are flying in. The brides -- and there will be two of them -- might not have time to buy something new to wear, but that's OK.
Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac, who have been together for 34 years, do not want to wait a day longer than necessary to tie the knot now that California's Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage. They had five weeks to plan a June 21 reception for 250 people.
"We should have been ready, but we weren't," Pontac said with a laugh. "We are taking care of all the details we can, and no matter what happens, we know we will have good company and good music and food and drink."
The gay marriage ruling could give a big, sudden boost to California's sputtering economy, with thousands of same-sex couples from across the nation expected to converge on the state when the decision takes effect June 16. Hotels, restaurants, florists and other wedding services are reporting a flurry of business.
"The good news for California is that in the face of probably the worst budget problems the state has ever faced, the LGBT wedding industry is going to be a financial shot in the arm," said Jeffrey Prang, mayor of West Hollywood, a popular destination for gay travelers in Southern California.
A study issued this week by UCLA's Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation and the Law projected that gay men and lesbians will spend $684 million on cakes, photographers and other services over the next three years unless voters reverse the high court's ruling in the fall.
The researchers found that about half of the state's more than 100,000 same-sex couples will get married during the next three years, and an additional 68,000 out-of-state couples will travel to California to exchange vows. The study estimated that over that period, gay weddings will generate $64 million in tax revenue for the state, $9 million in marriage-license fees for counties, and some 2,200 jobs. SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The flowers have been selected, the Veterans' Memorial Center has been booked, and the three-pi... more -
Jerry Brown to challenge court's ruling on medical marijuana
The Court of Appeal decided that lawmakers overstepped their bounds by amending the Compassionate Use Act. Brown, the attorney general, disagrees with that ruling.
"State Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown is preparing to challenge a recent appellate court decision that struck down California's guidelines on medical marijuana possession and cultivation, leaving patients and police wondering how much weed is too much.
Brown said in an interview this week that he would ask the Supreme Court to overturn last month's decision by the state Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, because it inhibits the state's attempts to control abuses while protecting legitimate access to cannabis.
The court ruled that the Legislature in 2003 made an unconstitutional amendment to the 1996 voter-approved Compassionate Use Act by specifying the amount of marijuana that patients could possess for medicinal purposes.
The decision, hailed by some medical marijuana advocates, did not only cast doubt on the legality of the standard of eight ounces of dried pot and six mature or 12 immature plants, which is contained in the legislation. It also threw a cloud of uncertainty over more liberal guidelines adopted by some counties, particularly those in the marijuana belt of the North Coast.
Brown, who supports medicinal use of marijuana, said the legislation was a reasonable approach to implementing a vaguely written ballot measure. "The proposition is not as clear we would like," he said. "You do not need an unlimited quantity of marijuana for medicine. But what is the quantity?"
The medical marijuana law was designed to provide access to patients with cancer, AIDS and other ailments. But implementation has created a hodgepodge of local marijuana controls."
By Tim Reiterman
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer The Court of Appeal decided that lawmakers overstepped their bounds by amending the Compassionate Use Act. Brown, the attorney general... more -
Calif. clerk hopes to have 1st legal gay marriage
MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) — For 18 years, Stephen Weir has been in charge of the office that hands out marriage licenses in California's ninth-largest county. And for just as long, Weir has been unable to get a license himself because the love of his life is a man.
The irony did not escape him.
"Always the bridesmaid, never the bride," he quips with a rueful smile.
So Weir hopes the citizens of Contra Costa County understand if their clerk-recorder invokes executive privilege and opens up for business a little early on June 17, when same-sex couples may be able to legally wed in California.
He and his partner, John Hemm, want to be first at the counter that day. They plan to be the first to exchange vows and kisses in the conference room Weir converted into a wedding chapel that hosts 1,200 couples a year, but that he could never use.
"I've waited all of this time to be able to walk into my own office and stand in line and pay what used to be $64 and now is $85 to buy a license and have a ceremony," says Weir, who also is president of the state clerks association.
"It's a big deal." MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) — For 18 years, Stephen Weir has been in charge of the office that hands out marriage licenses in California... more -
Rent control up for grabs in California
On June 3, 2008, Californian's will decide the fate of rent control in a special election. Whether the elimination of rent control is a good thing or a disaster in the waiting is a matter of debate and at the heart of two competing propositions, 98 and 99. On June 3, 2008, Californian's will decide the fate of rent control in a special election. Whether the elimination of rent contro... more
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Same-sex marriage ruling adds a volatile new issue to the presidential race - Los ...
The California Supreme Court's decision allowing same-sex marriage probably throws the politically volatile issue into November, when a proposed state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage could spill into the presidential campaign and contests for Congress and the state Legislature. The California Supreme Court's decision allowing same-sex marriage probably throws the politically volatile issue into November, ... more
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California "Hands-Free Phone Law" May Save Lives
Looks like someone was finally thinking.
The law requires all in-vehicle phone use to be hands-free and no one under 18 may use mobile phones in the car. Looks like someone was finally thinking. ... more -
LA man wins right to use wife's last name
All Michael Buday wanted to do was take the last name of his wife, Diana Bijon, when they married.
But it took two years, a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination and a change in California law before he picked up his new drivers license in the name of Michael Bijon on Monday. All Michael Buday wanted to do was take the last name of his wife, Diana Bijon, when they married. ... more -
California's three strikes law strikes again
A California man may spend life in prison-- for stealing a 50 cent package of donuts. That's because he's on his third strike. Under California's controversial three strikes law, they lock you up and throw away the key after your third felony strike. A California man may spend life in prison-- for stealing a 50 cent package of donuts. That's because he's on his third strik... more
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In California the government might be able to control your thermostsat
California energy regulators are considering taking control of residents' thermostats, giving them the ability to control the temperatures of homes during energy crises, the New York Times reports.
The California Energy Commission is expected to vote on the rules next month, which would give utilities the power to control home thermostats via radio control to manage electricity shortages, the paper reports.
Customers would be able to override utilities' suggested temperatures, but not during energy emergencies, the New York Times reports. The move, officials say, would help them avoid rotating outages statewide.
?You realize there are times ? very rarely, once every few years ? when you would be subject to a rotating outage and everything would crash including your computer and traffic lights, and you don?t want to do that,? Arthur H. Rosenfeld, a member of the energy commission, told the Times.
Is this really necessary? California energy regulators are considering taking control of residents' thermostats, giving them the ability to control the tem... more -
Government Control of Your Thermostat?
So there is a bill being discussed that could allow the government to regulate your the temperature controls in your own home "when energy costs are high."
I think the idea suffers from the delusion that the government is better at regulating my own life than I am. A representative government is a good idea for cutting down on the number of things I have to consider outside of my daily concerns, not for regulating my daily concerns.
What a dumb idea.
On the other side though we do put governors in engines to limit top speed but there ARE speed limits. There is not temperature limit in my own home. If I want to turn the temp up to a hundred and walk around in my underwear, thats my right as long as I'm willing to pay my energy bill. So there is a bill being discussed that could allow the government to regulate your the temperature controls in your own home "wh... more -
Calif. Anti-Bias Bill Causes Stir Over 'Gender'
Warning that boys soon will be able to use girls' bathrooms and locker rooms, social conservatives and religious groups are trying to block a California law from taking effect in January that is designed to prohibit discrimination against gay and transgender people in schools. Warning that boys soon will be able to use girls' bathrooms and locker rooms, social conservatives and religious groups are tryin... more
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Addicted to What?
Everyone has vices. The guys from The Format admit theirs.
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Equal Marriage Rights Petition to Governor
SF Assemblyman Mark Leno's Marriage Equality bill passed the Assembly and Senate for the second time in as many years and currently awaits an almost certain veto from the Governor on or before October 14. Below is a link to a petition urging the Governor to sign this bill. I just signed the petition - it takes 20 seconds - and urge you to do the same. SF Assemblyman Mark Leno's Marriage Equality bill passed the Assembly and Senate for the second time in as many years and current... more
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California Bans Teens From Using Laptops, Cell Phones Behind The Wheel
Citing a fistful of studies that show teenagers among the most distracted and dangerous of drivers, the state Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cellphone, pager, text-messaging device or laptop while driving. Citing a fistful of studies that show teenagers among the most distracted and dangerous of drivers, the state Assembly on Monday passe... more
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Meditations On Tookie
Check out this VC2 footage of a rally to save Stanley "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips street gang and convicted murderer. Williams is scheduled to be executed on December 13, 2005 unless he is granted clemency by California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check out this VC2 footage of a rally to save Stanley "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips street gang and convicted murd... more
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California Law
