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POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:
Bill to put the brakes on speeding
The Assembly Transportation Committee passed a bill Tuesday that would increase penalties for speeding drivers in the state.
Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who introduced the bill, was inspired to craft the legislation by recent pedestrian fatalities at the hands of speeding drivers in Glendale, he said.
While speeding on residential streets has been a recurrent public safety concern in Glendale and Burbank, Krekorian said the straw that broke the camel’s back was the death of Glendale resident Elizabeth Sandoval in July.
Sandoval was struck and killed by a vehicle traveling at speeds up to 60 mph on Glendale Avenue.
“When I heard about this young woman who is just crossing the street and her life ends because someone is choosing to race down the street 65 mph leading to this perfectly innocent woman’s death . . . that was more than I could stomach,” Krekorian said.
Krekorian also pointed out that the man accused of killing Sandoval, Ara Grigoryan, had a long history of traffic violations, but still had his license.
At the time of the July incident, Grigoryan had seven traffic citations and two minor traffic accidents.
Krekorian’s bill will double the points added to the driver’s record if the driver speeds 26 mph over the posted speed limit on city streets.
Under current law, a driver could receive up to four high-speed violations, each worth one point on their driver’s license, in one year before his or her license is suspended.
Under Krekorian’s bill, drivers could have their licenses suspended after a second high-speed violation.
The Glendale Police Department and California Highway Patrol both support and assisted in the crafting of the legislation, Krekorian said.
The bill “strengthens law enforcement’s ability to deal effectively with those who choose to drive recklessly and threaten the lives of innocent residents,” Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams said in a statement.
“We have had far too many families devastated in Glendale by high-speed crashes, and the heftier penalties associated with this bill will help deter anyone in the future from driving at excessive speeds and this important bill will tackle the problem by ensuring that repeat offenders will lose their license sooner.”
The bill is expected to be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in the next two weeks.
Legislation focuses on cancer screenings
The Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would require California health insurance companies to increase coverage of breast cancer screenings to conform with national breast cancer guidelines and to offer women the most up-to-date detection methods.
Under current law, insurers are required to pay for a “baseline mammogram” when the insured reaches the age of 35, according to the office of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who introduced the bill.
At age 40, an insured patient is eligible for a mammogram every other year until age 50, at which point mammograms are covered every year.
While these provisions were previously believed to be sufficient protection for women, recent scientific studies reveal that some women, including those with multiple relatives who have breast cancer, are at an “extreme risk” for developing breast cancer at an earlier age and yet can legally be denied screening by their insurance company, Portantino’s office said.
While Portantino’s bill does not lower the age that triggers necessary coverage, it would mandate coverage for tests necessary for screening or diagnoses of breast conditions upon referral of a participating nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife or physician providing care to the patient.
The bill would also require insurers to send female enrollees or policyholders a written notice regarding eligibility for tests for screening or diagnosis of breast conditions.
The California Association of Health Plans, which represents 40 health plans in California, says the bill is among several healthcare-related bills working their way through Sacramento that would will help drive up the cost of health insurance and make it more difficult for the uninsured to afford care.
Portantino’s bill will be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee later this month.
Portantino’s district includes a portion of Montrose.
Legislators looking for women in business
State Sen. Jack Scott, Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino are accepting nominations for their annual women in business awards in September.
Any woman who lives or works in Scott’s, Krekorian’s or Portantino’s districts, which include Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge, can be nominated for Businesswoman of the Year; Corporate Woman of the Year; Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year; Tami Ginsburg Employee of the Year; Nonprofit Employee of the Year; the Empowerment Award; the Most Inspirational Award; Woman in Science and Technology; Woman in Arts and Entertainment; Woman in Law; and Junior Businesswoman of the Year.
The awards are touted as a chance to celebrate the accomplishments women make to promote the economic vitality of their communities
For more information about making a nomination, contact Matthew Dodson at (626) 683-0282 or Matthew. Dodson@sen.ca.gov.
Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who introduced the bill, was inspired to craft the legislation by recent pedestrian fatalities at the hands of speeding drivers in Glendale, he said.
While speeding on residential streets has been a recurrent public safety concern in Glendale and Burbank, Krekorian said the straw that broke the camel’s back was the death of Glendale resident Elizabeth Sandoval in July.
Sandoval was struck and killed by a vehicle traveling at speeds up to 60 mph on Glendale Avenue.
“When I heard about this young woman who is just crossing the street and her life ends because someone is choosing to race down the street 65 mph leading to this perfectly innocent woman’s death . . . that was more than I could stomach,” Krekorian said.
Krekorian also pointed out that the man accused of killing Sandoval, Ara Grigoryan, had a long history of traffic violations, but still had his license.
At the time of the July incident, Grigoryan had seven traffic citations and two minor traffic accidents.
Krekorian’s bill will double the points added to the driver’s record if the driver speeds 26 mph over the posted speed limit on city streets.
Under current law, a driver could receive up to four high-speed violations, each worth one point on their driver’s license, in one year before his or her license is suspended.
Under Krekorian’s bill, drivers could have their licenses suspended after a second high-speed violation.
The Glendale Police Department and California Highway Patrol both support and assisted in the crafting of the legislation, Krekorian said.
The bill “strengthens law enforcement’s ability to deal effectively with those who choose to drive recklessly and threaten the lives of innocent residents,” Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams said in a statement.
“We have had far too many families devastated in Glendale by high-speed crashes, and the heftier penalties associated with this bill will help deter anyone in the future from driving at excessive speeds and this important bill will tackle the problem by ensuring that repeat offenders will lose their license sooner.”
The bill is expected to be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in the next two weeks.
Legislation focuses on cancer screenings
The Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would require California health insurance companies to increase coverage of breast cancer screenings to conform with national breast cancer guidelines and to offer women the most up-to-date detection methods.
Under current law, insurers are required to pay for a “baseline mammogram” when the insured reaches the age of 35, according to the office of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who introduced the bill.
At age 40, an insured patient is eligible for a mammogram every other year until age 50, at which point mammograms are covered every year.
While these provisions were previously believed to be sufficient protection for women, recent scientific studies reveal that some women, including those with multiple relatives who have breast cancer, are at an “extreme risk” for developing breast cancer at an earlier age and yet can legally be denied screening by their insurance company, Portantino’s office said.
While Portantino’s bill does not lower the age that triggers necessary coverage, it would mandate coverage for tests necessary for screening or diagnoses of breast conditions upon referral of a participating nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife or physician providing care to the patient.
The bill would also require insurers to send female enrollees or policyholders a written notice regarding eligibility for tests for screening or diagnosis of breast conditions.
The California Association of Health Plans, which represents 40 health plans in California, says the bill is among several healthcare-related bills working their way through Sacramento that would will help drive up the cost of health insurance and make it more difficult for the uninsured to afford care.
Portantino’s bill will be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee later this month.
Portantino’s district includes a portion of Montrose.
Legislators looking for women in business
State Sen. Jack Scott, Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino are accepting nominations for their annual women in business awards in September.
Any woman who lives or works in Scott’s, Krekorian’s or Portantino’s districts, which include Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge, can be nominated for Businesswoman of the Year; Corporate Woman of the Year; Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year; Tami Ginsburg Employee of the Year; Nonprofit Employee of the Year; the Empowerment Award; the Most Inspirational Award; Woman in Science and Technology; Woman in Arts and Entertainment; Woman in Law; and Junior Businesswoman of the Year.
The awards are touted as a chance to celebrate the accomplishments women make to promote the economic vitality of their communities
For more information about making a nomination, contact Matthew Dodson at (626) 683-0282 or Matthew. Dodson@sen.ca.gov.
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