David Parkman is the radio, internet and television talk show host of Midweek Politics Radio. Parkman recently disused Presidents Obama’s new health care laws in California.  Parkman also talked about Obama’s first year as President of the United State of America.  He also made comparisons between Obama’s first year as president and Bush in his first year as president.

The new health care laws in California are very impressive.  There are new regulation being put into place that limits the amount of time a patient has to wait to see their doctor.  These are also the first law of it’s kind.  Check out the video for more details on the new California health care laws and the shocking difference between Obama’s first year and Bush.

The punishment and penalties for this offense can be very severe and increases with every conviction in a ten year period. Although most are prosecuted as misdemeanors in California, the very unlucky few are not. I have created a list of punishments and penalties for DUI’s up to the third offense and DUI’s that cause injury to others.

First Offense;

- $1200 dollar fine

- Three years probation (informal/no probation officer)

- Three to five days Sheriff work (picking up trash, cleaning buses, etc)

- Ninety day license restriction (to start after 4 months DMV suspension)

- First offense school (3-4 months long)

First offenders are required to hire a private attorney

Second Offense;

- Three to five years probation (formal)

- Minimum of 96 hours to a maximum of one year county jail

- Between $390-$1000 in fines and court costs

- Two year license suspension

- Completion of an 18 to 30 month court approved DUI school

Third Offense;

- Between three to five years of informal probation

- Minimum of 120 days to a maximum of 1 year in county jail

- Between $390-$1000 in fines

- Completion of a 30 month court approved DUI school

- Three year California license revocation but eligiable for restricted license after 18 months

- Designation of “habitual traffic offender” (HTO) by DMV

Penalties for DUI with injury (Misdemeanor);

- Three to five years of summary probation

- Five days to one year in county jail

- $390-$5000 in fines

- Restitution to all injured parties

Penalties for DUI with injuries (Felony);

- Sixteen months to ten years in California State Prison AND an additional and consecutive 1-6 year prison sentence, dependin on how many were injured

- Possible “strike” on your record pursuant to California’s Three Strikes law

- Between $1015-$5000 in fines

- Eighteen to thirty month alcohol and drug program

- HTO status for three years

- Restitution to all injured parties

References

1. shouselaw

To many people, if they were to see a crime being committed, they would not even hesitate to call the police. To other people however, they wouldn’t do the same. This is the problem that the Richmond police are having a problem with in case of a 15 year old girl who was raped outside of her high school homecoming dance.
It’s claimed that over 20 people witnessed the attack occurring for 2 hours, but no one called the police. And now that they have caught the kids who did it, no one is coming forward.
This is what a new law being passed through California Legislature is trying to stop. Many hope that this law will help solve more crimes and make people stop them if they see them happening.
Still, some thing that this is a big encroachment on peoples freedom. I mean you cant make people talk right? Well, we will soon find out as the bill is expected to pass and trun into a California law.

The Civil Gideon Law is a new California law that will provide lower income residents who are attempting to fight evictions, home foreclosures and family law issues with free legal counsel and representation. Legal analyst, Ted Frank, describes some possible issues with the new law. “The landlord who has to do an eviction has to hire a lawyer now, foreclosures become more legally complicated and that all raises expenses and that money has to come from somewhere…there are certainly going to be more cases that are going to be litigated than there otherwise would be.”
A “test run”, so to speak, will begin July 1st, 2011 and end on July 1, 2017 under legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. This will make California the first state with a civil right to counsel program. Families must make a yearly income of $44,100 in order to qualify and the program is expected to generate an annual $11 million fee increase.

References

1. Legal Newsline

2. Stuy Town

California is well know for a lot of things, Hollywood, good weather, L.A, and surfing. California is also know for some of the most bizarre laws in all of the United States maybe even in the world. Some of these laws are so strange you will wonder why they exist in the first place. Some of the laws will even make you laugh.

Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.

Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.

Bathhouses are against the law.

It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.

Women may not drive in a house coat.

You cannot leave your car on the street overnight without the proper permit.

Peacocks have the right of way to cross any street, including driveways.

Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool.

City Council order reads: “No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash.”

You are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows.

It is prohibited to sleep in a parked vehicle.

All dog “waste” must be removed from any yard within seven days.

One must obtain a permit from the city to throw hay in a cesspool.

It is illegal to own a green or smelly animal hide.

Detonating a nuclear device within the city limits results in a $500 fine.

One may not use one’s own restroom if the window is open.

One must seek written permission from the Director of Public Works before playing baseball in a city park.

Men who wear mustaches are forbidden from kissing women.

No one may annoy a lizard in a city park.

Skipping rocks in a city park is not allowed.

It is against the law to hold a private Bing game.

Permanent markers may not be sold in the city limits.

It is illegal to jump into a passing car.

It is illegal to pour salt on a highway.

It is illegal for a trumpet player to play his instrument with the intention of luring someone to a store.

It is illegal to curse on a mini-golf course.

You cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time.

Toads may not be licked.

These are real California laws the list goes on. There are so many more Crazy California Laws, I can make a second post called, “Crazy California Laws part 2″. These laws are from different cities throughout California.

References

1. Dumb Laws.com

The first legislation hearing on the issue or legalizing pot has happened since the banning of the substance back in 1913.  The biggest pro that San Fransisco Democrat and former comedian Tom Ammiano is focusing on is the fact that legalizing pot will bring in a lot of revenue and tax dollars.  Gaining capital is an important thing to keep the economy running efficiently, but should this be the biggest concern while deciding to legalize a mind altering substance?  It is such a delicate situation and more importantly is how will this affect the younger generation?  This should be the biggest issue.

The bill will be modeled after that of alcohol.  It is legally able to be possessed, grown, and consumed by those 21 years of age and older.  It will cost $50 dollars per ounce and a 9% tax fee.  Arnold Schwarzenegger does not support the legalization, but caused quite a wave when allowing it to be up for discussion back in May.

One pole showed slight majority of Californians would support the tax-and-regulate scheme for pot, though results are still hard to predict.  There is nothing in the federal law can prohibit California from eliminating all criminal penalties for marijuana from it’s books.

“If California decides to legalize marijuana, there’s nothing in the Constitution that stands in its way,” said Tamar Todd, a staff attorney for the pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance.

References

1. San Diego News Network

October 11th, 2009 marked California’s new anti-paparazzi law. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the amendment, stating that photographers will be fined for taking pictures that invade a celebrity’s privacy. For instance, Jennifer Aniston successfully sued for $550,000 when a paparazzi photographer took a picture of her in her backyard, wearing only underwear. With such a booming, fame obsessed society, it’s no wonder that pictures of celebrity’s are worth so much money. People Magazine reportedly paid $14 million for the first picture of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts twins.
The new California law, which takes effect in January of 2010, makes it illegal to take and sell unauthorized photos of celebrities in “personal or family activities”. Violators will face fines up t0 $50,000.

References

1. CNN

2. NAME OF LINK

For months now, California has had a persistent with its water supply and infrastructure. Supply problems that limit people from getting all the water they need has also caused problems in the state.
Now however, state lawmakers are attempting to fix the problem that for some reason, no one would fix. Anyway, today lawmakers quietly introduced a bill to help fix the states water management system.
Some of these changes include allocating more money for repairs, expanding on the system already long infrastructure, and also Fix any known problems that are plaguing the already taxed system.
This is coming as great news to local California residents. Many hope that this new bill will not be a rumor or lie like some of the others bills like it that have come before it. Still, it is good to know that the ones with all the power are still making sure the little people are being taking care of.

Better straighten up while driving. A law was passed in California that states the following.

It is an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle.

Two additional laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving went into effect July 1, 2008. The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, (California Vehicle Code [VC] §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a “hands-free device. The second law effective July 1, 2008, prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).

No telling when the rest of the country will adopt this longing needed safety precaution. The Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was even embarrassed recently when his own wife was caught breaking these laws.

When will Maria Shriver learn?

References

1. www.dmv.ca.gov

Ok, have you ever know, or saw and elderly or sick person with there beloved pets? Have you ever given any thought to what might happen to them if their owners die before they do? Well, some Law makers out it California have geven much thought on this very subject, Trying to figure out what to do when the owners “move on”.
This isn’t exactly something that you can just tell people either. I mean, in some cases people have ended up giving more of there worldly possessions and money to their pets than any other member of there family. This can set up a bunch of legal battle that Californa law makers are tired of seeing.
So now, a new law introduced by state lawmakers is trying to stop all the confusion and issues that might result from a problem like this. With this new law, pet owners are allowed to set up binding trusts to there pets. They can leave money of there care, and they can dictate what kind of care they receive. This can go as far as how ofter they are walked, and at what time they are feed during the day.
This new change of events might seem a little extreme for some, but it does show what extent people will go, for their pets.