Word: assemblyman
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Another actor has entered California politics--not as a candidate but as the spark for legislation. The "Tom Cruise bill," passed last week by the California state assembly and now headed for the senate, prohibits the sale of ultrasound devices to anyone but professionals licensed to use the machines. Assemblyman Ted Lieu, the Southern California Democrat who wrote the bill, grew concerned in November when Cruise and then pregnant fiancé Katie Holmes purchased a machine for a reported $200,000 to track the growth of their baby at home. The scans are considered safe when properly conducted, but the Food...
...prepared for the event by passing a resolution last week condemning BattleCry's rally on the steps of City Hall as an "act of provocation" by an anti-gay, anti-choice organization that aimed to "negatively influence the politics of America's most tolerant and progressive city." Democratic State Assemblyman Mark Leno went further, telling counter-protesters that he found the BattleCry participants "obnoxious" and "disgusting" and that "they should get out of San Francisco." (On Monday, Leno issued a statement saying he regretted that some had interpreted his remarks to mean he didn't think people of different beliefs...
...Arnold Schwarzenegger took less than 24 hours to decide to veto it. The reason? Pure politics, say both critics and supporters of the non-girlie-man Governor. "He didn't even let the bill get to his desk before announcing the veto," says Mark Leno, the openly gay state assemblyman who was the main backer. "He is pandering to the far right." Indeed, with the Governor's popularity rating down to 36% and Democrats alienated by his attacks on public-service unions, Schwarzenegger is now "more dependent on his Republican base than ever," says Allan Hoffenblum, a G.O.P. strategist...
...which will take effect in January and also forbids the state to place public money in banks that deal with foreign companies operating in Sudan. (It is illegal for U.S. firms to do work in Sudan.) The two laws will affect an estimated $2 billion in investments. New Jersey assemblyman William Payne, who authored his state's bill, hopes "this will grow from a ripple to a wave," and points to six other states, including Ohio and Massachusetts, where governments and pension funds are considering divestment. Meanwhile, Harvard students pushed the university to sell its $4.4 million stake in Petro...
...since 1973. One possibility: First Lady Imelda Marcos. Although the President told NBC Nightly News last week that his wife is "definitely not" a candidate, he announced at week's end that he would have a running mate. Insiders say that Imelda is still pressing to run. Noted Opposition Assemblyman Homobono Adaza: "She's probably the most visible noncandidate around...