California Bulletin State News

January/February 2008

Drawing the lines – With the 2010 national census approaching, AARP California is championing a ballot initiative to reform the process of redrawing the state’s legislative districts, which change with fluctuations in population. The California Voters FIRST initiative would create a nonpartisan commission to draw a new map. In past years, the job has been undertaken by sitting members of the legislature, often resulting in district lines that serve the interests of those seeking reelection. Supporting the initiative is a coalition that includes AARP, Common Cause, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R, endorsed the initiative in December, and coalition members have begun gathering the necessary 1 million signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

December 2007

Lost treasure – Holiday shoppers could be in for a windfall if their names are on a list maintained by the State Controller's Office. Banks, utility companies and other businesses are required to send unclaimed assets such as deposits and overpayments to the state for safekeeping if an account has been inactive for three years. Such accounts amount to $5.1 billion in unclaimed assets, and state Controller John Chiang, D, aims to return the money to its rightful owners. Chiang is working with AARP California, the California Broadcasters Association and California Cable and Telecommunications Association to spread the word.  The Unclaimed Property Program returned an average of $1,216 to more than 276,000 people last year. To search for unclaimed funds that may belong to you or your family, go to www.sco.ca.gov or call 1-800-992-4647.

November 2007

With the clock running on his “Year of Health Care Reform,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R, last month proposed using state lottery revenue to breathe life back into his drive for health insurance for all California residents.

State legislative leaders scheduled an Oct. 31 hearing on the measure. But the California Labor Federation — an umbrella group closely allied with the Democratic legislative leadership — hired a well-known political consultant, Chris Lehane, to mount an opposition campaign.

Against this backdrop, AARP and other consumer advocates continued their months-long push for expanding health coverage.

“Our members expect the governor and the legislative leaders to work together to achieve real reform this year,” says Mark Beach, AARP California’s spokesman. “Millions of Californians can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Casey Young, AARP California’s advocacy manager, says private discussions are under way among the various groups seeking reform this year. “We are now looking at a sprint to what most see as a Dec. 1 deadline for the legislation,” he says.

The country has been watching developments in California ever since January, when Schwarzenegger outlined a $12 billion plan to cover the state’s 6.6 million uninsured. The Democrat-controlled legislature approved a more modest plan that would have covered two-thirds of the uninsured.

The governor rejected that legislation. His new bill insists on coverage for all residents, regardless of their medical history. Employers would have to provide insurance or pay a fee to the state, and hospitals would pay a tax.

According to the governor, leasing the state-run lottery to a private operator would generate another $2 billion in revenues.

Republican lawmakers have steadfastly opposed all taxes and fees, a position that’s effectively blocked any of the funding proposals so far. So Schwarzenegger proposed a two-prong approach: Lawmakers approve the reforms and then ask the state’s voters to approve the taxes and free increases.

Young, AARP California’s advocacy manager, says the governor and lawmakers are aiming for a Dec. 1 approval of health care legislation to ensure they have enough time to gather the signatures needed to place a statewide measure on the ballot in November 2008. The governor remains optimistic this will indeed by the “Year of Health Care Reform.”

“We represent the best chance for comprehensive health care reform, I think, in 100 years,” the governor said. “I have great hopes because the legislative leaders are all positive. There is a will to fix it.”