Editorial | Ex-inmates deserve a shot at positive lives after nonviolent crime convictions
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board
Latest News
California lawmakers say too many former felons are being denied professional licenses
Photo: John Myers/Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times, John Meyers
A trio of California Assembly members urged colleagues on Monday to pass legislation that would prohibit state commissions and agencies from rejecting a professional license for those who were once convicted of less serious crimes.
California lawmakers want to make it easier for ex-cons to get job licenses
The San Francisco Chronicle, Melody Gutierrez
SACRAMENTO — California prison inmates are offered training in automotive repair, cosmetology, construction and other fields as part of their rehabilitation. Then, when they get out, state licensing boards often bar them from those professions because of their convictions.
Some Democratic lawmakers want to change that, saying that if California is truly interested in rehabilitating inmates, it needs to make it possible for them to get jobs.
Could New York City Parks Be Going Plastic Bottle-Free?
The New York Times, Winnie Hu
The Ballfields Café in Central Park sells more than 400 bottled waters a week to hot-dog lovers washing down the salt, families on the go and tourists from places where the tap water is undrinkable.
But all those bottles go into an endless stream of plastic that has overflowed trash cans, clogged landfills and choked oceans.
Bay Area legislator moves to protect immigrants, others in court cases
The San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Egelko
A Bay Area lawmaker is proposing to allow Californians to file court cases anonymously if they can show that use of their names might expose them to some type of harm. Getting deported, for example.
“Given the national climate, many immigrants are extremely hesitant to appear in court or take part in proceedings for fear of deportation,” Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, author of AB2185, said Monday.
Housing crisis: California bill aims to help the ‘missing middle’
The Mercury News, Katy Murphy
SACRAMENTO — As the state’s costliest housing markets and high rents threaten to force all but the highest-paid workers into ever-longer commutes, California lawmakers have introduced a bill to help more teachers, firefighters and other middle-income workers live close to their jobs.
Open-source voting in SF may require match of state, local funds
San Francisco Examiner, Joshua Sabatini
If San Francisco wants an open-source voting system that supporters say would be more reliable and transparent than current proprietary machines, it could cost between $11.5 million and $27.8 million, according to a new consultant’s report.
The report comes as supporters of an open-source system, which includes the Elections Commission, are calling on Mayor Mark Farrell to help fund the effort.
Bill Aimed At Restricting Police Use Of Military Weapons Introduced Into State Assembly
Bay City News Service
A San Diego lawmaker Friday helped introduce legislation into the state Assembly that could make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to acquire military-grade equipment.