KEHOE INTRODUCES NEW BILLS

Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) recently introduced several bills, including measures to improve oversight of local government, allow all-mail elections in San Diego County, permit renters to display political signs, boost installation of solar power, expand demographic data, and emphasize transit before freeway expansion of I-5.

SB 186 – Investigating Local Governments: This bill would allow the State Controller to investigate cities and counties if fraud or misconduct is suspected like that which was uncovered last year in Bell, California. The Controller would have the power to perform an audit without first obtaining permission from a city, county, special district, or redevelopment agency. The cost of the investigation would be borne by the local government.
 

SB 304 – All-Mail Elections: This legislation would allow all-mail elections in San Diego County, saving local government millions of dollars and making it easier for voters to cast ballots. It would apply to local, state, and federal races on the ballot in San Diego County through 2016. Local jurisdictions would have the option of using such a voting system. In last year’s general election in California, 48 percent of statewide voters cast their ballots by mail, while 55 percent of San Diego County voters did.
 

SB 337 – Protecting Tenant Rights: This bill would protect tenant rights by allowing them to display political signs in the windows of their rented apartments or homes. It would include signs for candidates, initiatives, recalls, referendums, and legislative votes. Current law allows residents in mobile home parks, homeowners’ associations, and common interest developments to display political signs, but such protections don’t apply to renters.
 

SB 416 – Collecting LGBT Demographics: This bill would require the state to add questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership and same-sex spousal status as part of the voluntary demographics collected in California's government surveys. Such data is already collected for other groups; survey subjects would voluntarily give the information.

SB 468 – Putting Transit First: This bill would require transit improvements in coastal communities before Caltrans may proceed with any plans to widen freeways in those areas. The legislation applies statewide, and the first project affected in San Diego County would be the proposed I-5 expansion from La Jolla to Oceanside.

SB 585 – Solar Installation Program: This bill would inject an additional $50 million into the state’s program to install solar panels at schools, government buildings, and businesses. The program began in 2007 with $2.167 billion and was expected to last until 2016; however, the program’s funding devoted to schools, government buildings, and businesses has been exhausted. Funds for solar installation at homes continue to be available.