NCSL in the News October Archive

This archive of news articles that cite the National Conference of State Legislatures should serve as a record only. Links to the actual articles may not work several weeks after they have been posted. If you are interested in a story with a non-working link, please visit the Web site of the newspaper in which it was printed. These links are provided for information only. NCSL does not endorse the views in any articles linked to from this page. 

October 31 GrassCatcher:

October 30 GrassCatcher:

Facts about California's initiative process
Key historical facts about the use of ballot initiatives in California. Sources: Secretary of state's office, Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, National Conference of State Legislatures. International Herald Tribune Read the article.

Don't lose those expired gift card funds
As of October 2008, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures Web site, more than 35 states have unclaimed property laws that apply to unused gift card balances. CreditCards.com Read the article.

Public works projects promoted at hearing
The National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities sent a joint letter to Congress this week appealing for help. New York Times Read the article.

Renewable energy debuts on ballots
"This is a fairly new issue to the ballot," says Jennie Drage Bowser, who has been tracking ballot measures for more than a decade at the National Conference of State Legislatures. USA Today Read the article.

Tons of voter issues other than elections
The National Conference of State Legislatures and Ballotpedia.com keep Web sites that list the wide range of issues other than office elections that will appear on ballots next week. Poynter Online Read the article.

Drug companies indirectly boosting Daniel's campaign
More than 540 pharmaceutical-related pieces of legislation were introduced in state legislatures this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. jconline.com Read the article.

BLAKE: Showing some initiative
Jennie Drage Bowser, a staffer with the National Conference of State Legislatures, may be the nation's leading expert on the initiative process. Rocky Mountain News Read the article.

Single-house Legislature with fewer sessions could save serious money
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in six states - Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon and Texas - the Legislature meets every other year. Honolulu Star Bulletin  Read the article.

October 29 GrassCatcher:

New Jersey voters may limit borrowing as Corzine proposes sales
New Jersey has no bond issues on this year's ballot. In nine other states, voters will consider 15 statewide measures totaling $18.4 billion, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Bloomberg.com Read the article.

Election 2008: An online resource guide
Do I need a photo I.D.? The short version is: It depends. Best to check on the site of the National Conference of State Legislatures beforehand. Some states (Florida, Hawaii) request a photo I.D.; some require one (Alabama, Texas, Washington), and others don't (California, Oregon, New York). Salon.com Read the article.

County sees record early voter turnout
North Carolina is one of 31 states that offers some sort of no excuse early voting, where voters can go in person to the election office before Election Day and cast their ballot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Franklin Press Read the article.

Battle for state legislatures carries high stakes
"In an environment that seems to favor Democrats across the board in 2008, legislatures could deliver a bright spot for Republicans," said Tim Storey, an elections expert at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "If Democrats do gain seats, it will truly reflect a landslide by the party and would really be an indicator of this turnout machine." Associated Press Read the article.

National Conference of State Legislatures a bipartisan source on election night
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a comprehensive source for results and progress on election night. Just hours after the polls close across the country, NCSL's experts will have an analysis of party control, the ballot issues that passed or failed and trends in the states. News Blaze (CA) Read the article.

Calls mount for infrastructure funding as centerpiece of economic stimulus bill
“Investing in infrastructure provides job creation, longer-term stability and helps ensure the nation's safety and competitiveness,” according to the Oct. 27 letter from the National Governors Association, the Council of State Governments, the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, and the International City/County Management Association. BNA Daily Report for Executives Read the article.

October 28 GrassCatcher:

Colorado voters to test ballot reform
“It is not a transparent, thoughtful process for making public policy,” (Jennie) Bowser said. “The initiatives are largely drafted in private, there is minimal information for the voter and you don’t know how a small slice of law might interact with policy as a whole. It is inflexible, and that may not be a good way to make policy.” Stateline.org Read the article.

Court: Election looks to be a record-breaker
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 31 states allow some form of advance voting, including California, Texas and Florida. Missouri does not. The Kansan Read the article.

Issue of what not to wear emerges as voters go to polls
While many states have laws against electioneering, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Montana and Vermont have explicit prohibitions against wearing campaign apparel inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. First Amendment Center Read the article.

October 27 GrassCatcher:

October 24 GrassCatcher:

Nebraska rethinks safe-haven baby law as parents drop off teens
The efficacy of safe-haven laws is hard to gauge. No one is required to compile national numbers of infants legally surrendered or numbers of those illegally abandoned, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Wall Street Journal Read the article.

Costly ballot measures pose risk to state budgets
"You're kind of locking yourself into it," said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Associated Press Read the article.

Nebraska not first state to consider mandating employment checks
The National Conference of State Legislatures says 10 states require the use of the Web-based system called E-Verify. The Associated Press on KHGI-TV; KOLN-TV Read the article.

Board votes to increase lawmakers' per diem
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, California is one of 45 states that provides legislators with some sort of living and travel expense. Only Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio and Rhode Island provide no per diem. KQCA-TV Read the article.

Kansas officials see surge in advanced voting
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 31 states allow some form of advance voting, including California, Texas and Florida. Missouri does not. Hayes Daily News Read the article.

Gay marriage a huge draw for Florida voters
“Unlike 2004 and 2006, there really is no theme that is dominating this year’s crop of ballot measures,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, with the National Conference of State Legislatures. News Press, FL Read the article.

Skip to the front of the line
The non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures has prepared a website, which will tell you which states have early voting and which have “no excuse absentee balloting.” AFL-CIO Blog Read the article.

Election 2008: Stephen Saland 
President of National Conference of State Legislatures (2001-2002). Register Herald Read the article.

October 23 GrassCatcher:  

October 22 GrassCatcher:

Our future (productive) citizens
The program is administered by a national network of state and congressional district coordinators in every state and the National Conference of State Legislatures, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and an increasing number of state legislatures. Allentown Morning Call Read the article.

Grass roots feed Tavern League’s political clout
Pennsylvania and Indiana appear to be the only other states that have similar provisions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Read the article.

Van Drew to visit Landis Middle
Sen. Jeff Van Drew will be at the school on Oct. 30 to give eighth-graders an opportunity to ask him questions. The National Conference of State Legislatures sponsors the program to encourage interaction between young adults and their local legislators. The Daily Journal (NJ) Read the article.

House Dems seek session for 2d stimulus, including infrastructure
Michael Bird, federal affairs counsel at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said additional funding for infrastructure would be welcomed by state governments, but that it could have been used even earlier to help finance needed projects. "Back in the spring when they did the first economic stimulus package, we heartily suggested that infrastructure grants ... be part of the package," he said. "If we had done that back then, right now we would be reaping the benefits of that economic activity. We've already lost half of a year." Bond Buyer Read the article.

October 21 GrassCatcher:

'Direct Democracy' would mean sheer chaos
"It has voters making policy decisions in a vacuum," said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst who studies citizen initiatives for the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Hartford Courant Read the article.

State Legislatures: Climate change threatens state economies
The National Conference of State Legislatures, in conjunction with the University of Maryland and the Center for Integrative Environmental Research, is releasing reports that also show that economic and environmental interests are aligning in other states. Washington Independent Read the article.

States' K-12 efforts feeling budget sting
“This situation is as bad as I’ve ever seen it,” William T. Pound, the executive director of the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures, said in an Oct. 13 press release. “States have been confronted with bad economic circumstances in the past, but not so many and all at once.”  Education Week Read the article.

Ballot issues not crossing many state borders this year
"Unlike 2004 and 2006, there really is no theme that is dominating this year’s crop of ballot measures,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, an elections analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. State Net Capitol Journal Read the article.

October 20 GrassCatcher:

22 states facing budget gaps
"States have been confronted with bad economic circumstances in the past, but never so many states, all at once," said Bill Pound, executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Boston Globe Read the article.

Legislature seeks annual budgeting
Arkansas is one of six states that still holds regular legislative sessions every other year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Denver-based state government association. Other states meet once a year. One of the remaining biannual states, Oregon, is experimenting with annual sessions by calling a special session this year, back to back with its 2007 regular session. Morning News Read the article.

Is your mind already made up? Go vote early
Indiana is one of 31 states that allow early voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Journal Gazette Read the article.

Legislators' travel is latest casualty of budget shortfall
Among the casualties, legislative aides said, are a mid-December "fall forum" in Atlanta hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Washington Post Read the article.

States face new budget shortfalls
"States have been confronted with bad economic circumstances in the past, but never so many states, all at once," said William T. Pound, executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Los Angeles Times Read the article.

Is New Hampshire’s older, richer House a mirror of us?
N.H. House fast facts provided by the National Conference of State Legislatures (right hand side). Keene Sentinel Read the article.

How do you appeal a heath claim denial?
If a patient's state has no independent review, litigation may be an option. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota and Wyoming as states with no independent review process. Southtown Star Read the article.

Credit union group dismisses lobbyist
During the National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting in Boston the first week of August 2007, Jones managed to track down eight legislators for a meal at Grill 23 in the city at a cost of $786. State law requires lobbyists to disclose the names of the recipients if the average bill for the meal was $50. Daily Press Read the article.

As financial crisis spreads, threat to state budgets grows too
Because many states do not have year-round legislatures, says Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures, more substantial cuts are likely when lawmakers reconvene in January. US News and World Report Read the article.

Texting on the go can be hazardous
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, several high-profile accidents may have had a role in prompting states such as New Jersey and Washington to outlaw texting while driving. Among the accidents the group cited: a cyclist killed by a texting teen driver in 2005. Providence Journal Read the article.

October 17 GrassCatcher:

October 16 GrassCatcher:

Firms promise technology that would block cellphone calls to motorists
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have laws that restrict use of wireless communication devices by teenage drivers with learner's or instructional permits, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. RCR Wireless Read the article.

Legislative races tilting Dems' way in '08
“The hill is definitely getting steeper for McCain and the GOP, and that’s trickling down to the legislative level,” said Tim Storey, an elections specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Stateline.org Read the article.

Your iPod and BlackBerry can hurt your health
Six states—Alaska, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington—and Washington, D.C., ban text messaging for all drivers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. U.S. News & World Report Read the article.

October 15 GrassCatcher:

Pennsylvania lags in antipoverty effort
"Pennsylvania has not made any movement to form an antipoverty group or task force, while one-third of U.S. states have," said Christine Nelson, program manager of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a nonprofit association of state legislators based in Denver. Philadelphia Inquirer Read the article.

USC report: Proposition 8 passage looks dim
Since 2000, the high courts in Massachusetts, California and Connecticut have ruled in favor of marriage equality. Hawaii, too in 1993, but it was later overturned by the state legislature, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Desert Sun Read the article.

State report: Oklahoma revenues still strong
Oklahoma's revenue situation appears much better than most states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. "This situation is as bad ad I've ever seen it," Bill Pound, executive director of the NCSL, said Tuesday in a statement. Officials said anecdotal evidence shows many states have already suffered heavy revenue losses tied to the national economy and face even leaner times in 2009 because of problems in the financial markets. The Associated Press in Forbes.com Read the article.

Ohio budget problems duplicated across nation
The National Conference of State Legislatures said Wednesday that state finances across the nation are in big trouble, whacked by a stagnant economy, bleeding financial markets, and tanking consumer confidence. "Since we released our last budget report, the state fiscal environment has become increasingly volatile," says Corina Eckl, fiscal program director for the National Conference. Columbus Dispatch Read the article.

OK-Senators to return to state classrooms
"The Back to School program brings civics to life for students across the country," said Jan Goehring, a program director with NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy, on NCSL's Web site. "It helps today's youth understand how our government works and why they should want to be involved."  Oklahoma Insider Read the article.

Voters face range of ballot measures
Jennie Drage Bowser of the National Conference of State Legislatures speaks with Andrea Seabrook about some of the ballot measures voters will consider next month. On the list: Massachusetts voters could abolish the state income tax, and Californians could regulate the care of farm animals. NPR All Things Considered Listen Now.

Obama offers recovery plan that includes buying state, local debt
"There are hundreds of billions of dollars in backlogged projects" at the state and local level, said Michael Bird, federal affairs counsel at the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Bond Buyer Read the article.

October 14 GrassCatcher:

Legislators should refuse enormous salary increases
Hawaii's Legislature was intended to be part-time, and other state legislatures that convene 10 to 14 weeks a year pay members salaries averaging less than $20,000, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Editorial in the Honolulu Star Bulletin Read the article.

Amendment 2 brings lawmakers into 21st century
Biennial sessions aren't really efficient any more and don't serve Arkansans effectively. In 2001, a study by the National Conference of State Legislatures recommended Arkansas adopt annual legislative sessions. The Baxter Bulletin Read the article.

No residency requirement for same-sex couples to wed in Connecticut
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 41 states have enacted legislation prohibiting same-sex marriages or the recognition of same-sex marriages formed elsewhere. Republican-American Read the article.

Three decisions
Our state's health-care system is neither perfect nor inexpensive, but it was named one of the top three in the country by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Editorial in the Columbian Read the article.

Proposition 11 leaves Congress out of the argument
In 38 states, the Legislature draws both its own and congressional lines. Only six states split the duties between the Legislature and a commission, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Sacramento Bee Read the article.

Facing budget gaps, states eschewing tax hikes—for now
"It's difficult to raise revenues at a time the economy is questionable,” said Michael Burt, federal affairs counsel for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, D.C.  BNA Daily Report for Executives Read the article.

Dwindling economy, Wall Street crisis having severe effect on state budgets
“Right now you have some states that are holding off on projects or developing a laundry list of things not to do because of the inability to find credit at a low price,” Michael Burt, federal affairs counsel for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, told BNA. Adding to the avalanche of bad fiscal news, he said, Congress declined to provide financial assistance to the states as a part of the rescue package approved last week. States had been seeking help in five areas: Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment insurance, infrastructure grants, and child-support enforcement. “The package had the Alternative Minimum Tax patch, Renewable Energy tax extensions, loans for the auto industry, and all the other bailout provisions,” he said. “The only piece missing of all the ones really being pushed was state fiscal assistance.” BNA Daily Report for Executives Read the article.

Wall Street woes could make state tax increases more likely
Although some states are making projections about budget effects right now, more reliable numbers will most likely come out in December, said Bert Waisanen, fiscal analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. The bottom line is expected to be bad, but just how bad — and what it could mean for state tax policy and collection — is likely to remain murky, he said. ‘‘It’s like trying to spell words in your alphabet soup when you’re still swirling it,’’Waisanen said. State Tax Notes Read the article.

October 13 GrassCatcher:

October 10 GrassCatcher:

October 9 GrassCatcher:

Perino confirms White House won't extend jobless benefits
According to a July survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures, states are being forced to slash spending and cut jobs “in order to close a projected $40 billion shortfall in the current fiscal year,” more than triple the size of the previous year’s. Think Progress Read the article.

Questions and answers on constitutional convention
Since 1961, 16 states other than Illinois have held 25 conventions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. AP in Morris Daily Herald  Read the article.

Child support ends earlier for college students
A 2007 survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that 38 states end mandatory child support at 18 — also the cutoff age for Missouri children who do not go on to college after high school. St. Louis Post Dispatch Read the article.

October 8 GrassCatcher:

Seizing the initiative
"When voters consider an initiative on the ballot, they're just considering that issue," says Jennie Drage Bowser, of the National Conference of State Legislatures. "They're not presented with information on how it interacts with state policy as a whole and how it impacts the state budget. It's not a very holistic approach." Governing Magazine Read the article.

From pigs to marijuana, US voters have lots to decide
The initiative movement came up as a way to provide an outlet when the legislature is not responding to popular demand," said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "What's on the ballot reflects what Americans are thinking about and talking about," she explained. "In the 1930s it was labor issues. If you look at what's been on the ballot in the last five years it's same sex marriage and the minimum wage." AFP News Read the article.

As newspapers cut costs, a thinning of the guard among Albany’s press corps
The National Conference of State Legislatures said that it had noticed fewer articles about state politics in the news media and fewer reporters applying for credentials at state capitols. New York Times  Read the article.

Victims speak out as metal theft crackdown sweeps nation
Hoping to crimp the crime wave, many states have enacted legislation tightening rules on scrap dealers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Popular Mechanics Read the article.

October 7 GrassCatcher:

Ohio parents seek insurance help to pay for the high cost of autism treatment
More than two dozen states require some level of insurance coverage for autism, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Cleveland Plain Dealer Read the article.

Education in spotlight on statewide ballots
Nationally, dozens of legislative referendums, citizen initiatives, and proposed state constitutional amendments affecting education are on the ballot in at least 15 states, according to an overview by the National Conference of State Legislatures. About half concern how public schools and school projects are funded, which is typical for even-year elections, said Jennie D. Bowser, an NCSL policy analyst. Education Week Read the article.

GOP, Democrats battle in Pa. over voter dress code
At least four states — Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas —explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials. WILX News 10 Read the article.

October 6 GrassCatcher:

Arnold to Hank: Can you spare $7B?
Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that 31 states struggled to close gaps in their latest annual budgets. They managed to do so, but now risk a drop in revenues if stocks continue to decline. ABC News Read the article.

Dress code becomes part of election tiff
At least four states — Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas — explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials. Houston Chronicle Read the article

N.J. Assembly plans to tackle economic woes
"Lawmakers around the country are undoubtedly discussing the rapidly changing fiscal situation and solutions to state budget problems," said Corina Eckl, fiscal affairs director for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eckl couldn't say, however, if New Jersey's Legislature is doing more or less than other states in responding to the crisis. Courier Post Read the article.

Will dress code affect your right to vote?
At least four states - Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas- explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials. CBS News Read the article.

Live from Raleigh: NC House may come to your TV
Of the 10 largest states by population, North Carolina is the only one that provides no daily television broadcasts of its sessions, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which was provided to the committee. WRAL.com, NC Read the article.

GOP, Democrats battle in Pa. over voter dress code
At least four states — Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas_ explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials. Associated Press Read the article.

State House dome: State layoffs not on the horizon, for now
Eaton, serving his 10th House term, is vice-chair of the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Union Leader Read the article.

Is this the person who did it?
Kentucky was one of six that considered proposals this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Kentucky.com Read the article.

October 3 GrassCatcher:

California lawmakers get free gas, cars
California is unique in giving legislators free rein on transportation spending, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In most other states, lawmakers must submit the same kind of mileage-expense forms used by companies to reimburse employees for their business travel. "You have to prove what you're using it for," said Morgan Cullin, a Denver-based researcher for the bipartisan national organization. The Associated Press in the Detroit News Read the article.

Is this man the safest driver in America?
He was invited to the 2007 National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit to share his firsthand knowledge as a professional truck driver with state representatives. Occupational Health Safety Read the article.

Take away gas cards from our legislators
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, most states require lawmakers to submit mileage expense forms, much like companies require before reimbursing employees for business travel. California should do the same. Editorial in the Daily Democrat Read the article.

Patient safety
In response, at least 20 states have passed laws requiring hospitals to report mistakes or preventable infections publicly, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. BlueRidgeNow.com Read the article.

October 2 GrassCatcher:

Bloomberg: a mayor of few options
After voters in a spate of states and municipalities voted to institute term limits, legislatures in two states – Idaho and Utah – repealed the limits, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. Christian Science Monitor Read the article.

The buzz
Think California voters have it tough with 12 ballot measures to decipher for the Nov. 4 election? Coloradans are facing 18 measures, 14 of them initiatives, according to a tally by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Sacramento Bee Read the article.

Hot-button issues on the ballot
The labor groups will withdraw their four initiatives in return for a multimillion-dollar purse to fight the looming right-to-work question, says Jennie Drage Bowser, program principal of the legislative management program of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. Human Resource Executive Read the article.

Dog-racing threats: Vote, low interest
If the ban passes, Massachusetts will join seven states that already ban live greyhound racing: Idaho, Maine, North Carolina, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. AP in Tri-State Business Times Read the article.

States act to cushion Wall Street meltdown
The first comprehensive look at how many states are looking at additional red ink will come later this year when the National Conference of State Legislatures releases results of its 50-state survey. “Right now we just don’t know,” said NCSL budget specialist Arturo Perez. Stateline.org in eGov Read the article.

October 1 GrassCatcher:

Financial crisis hurts state pensions, budgets
Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that 31 states struggled to close gaps in their latest annual budgets. They managed to do so, but now risk a drop in revenues if stocks continue to decline. ABC News Read the article.

Medicare won’t pay for medical errors
In response, at least 20 states have passed laws requiring hospitals to report mistakes or preventable infections publicly, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  The Ledger (FL) Read the article.

Survey: Fewer NY teens smoked cigarettes in 2007
"New York's youth are using tobacco at a lower rate than youth in most other states, and is currently ranked fifth lowest in youth who use tobacco," said Karmen Hanson, a policy analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. "New York's tobacco cessation and prevention programs are apparently working to reduce both youth and adult tobacco use rates." Associated Press in New York Daily News  Read the article.

2 threats to dog racing: Mass. vote, low interest
If the ban passes, Massachusetts will join seven states that already ban live greyhound racing: Idaho, Maine, North Carolina, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Associated Press in The Guardian Read the article.

Take this perk away
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, most states require lawmakers to submit mileage expense forms, much like companies require before reimbursing employees for business travel. California should do the same. Opinion in the Oakland Tribune Read the article.

Governor signs Oropeza bill allowing breathalyzers to be imposed on ´extreme´ drunken drivers
The current level of .20 is the most lenient in the nation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  California Chronicle Read the article.

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