Home Page
Council on Alcohol Problems
Coalition Against Gambling Expansion
Alcohol-Narcotics Education Foundation
About Us
Make A Contribution
Newsletters
Educational Resources
What's New?
Site Map
Advanced Search
 

2004 Issues
2005 Issues

CAP's Legislative Issues - 2004

Alcohol taxes: Excise taxes have not been increased in California since 1991, although the Consumer Price Index has gone up 41% since that date. Senator Gloria Romero has been a consistent advocate of higher alcohol taxes. She sponsored SB 5x in 2003, which would have allowed a 5 cents per drink fee (fee, not a tax) increase on all Calif. Alcohol. CAP worked hard to secure passage in the Senate Health Committee by an 8-2 vote. However, the Senate Rules Committee (John Burton, chair) never allowed SB 5x to proceed to the G.O. Committee. Senator Romero introduced SB 106 in January of 2004, but this bill was not allowed to move forward.

Fair taxes on alcohol beverages are a long-range goal of CAP. The booze industry maintains a small army of lobbyists in the Capitol to defeat all tax measures. Alcohol taxes will be an issue in 2005.

Youth and Alcohol: AB 216 (Chan) was a major bill that would have imposed a 1-cent per drink fee on all alcohol, with the funds designated for alcohol-free youth programs and activities. CAP' Harvey Chinn spoke before a legislative committee in Oakland on the need for this program. AB 216 was defeated in committee on Jan. 13, 2004, by a 9-11 vote. Assembly member Wilma Chan wrote a gracious letter to CAP, thanking us for our support of her needed reform legislation.

Alcohol-filled gelatin desserts: AB 1567 (Chan) would have banned alcohol-filled gelatin desserts.
AB 1567 passed the Assembly 50-20, but was killed by the Senate G.O. Committee.

Advertising: AB 1398 (Vargas) was signed into law by Gov. Davis. AB 1398 was introduced at the request of Southern Califonia residents who were concerned by advertisements inviting youth to come to Mexico with its lower drinking age. AB 1398 bans billboards and flyers that advertise the availability of alcohol for underage American youth. A beneficial new law.

Underage Drinking: AB 1301 (Simitian) was signed into law by Gov. Davis. AB 1301 makes it a crime for parents to allow underage drinking in their home that results in a traffic collision.

Charitable Gambling: AB 423 (Longville) would change the percentage of charity money going to non-profit groups from 90% minimum to 50%. CAP's Harvey Chinn testified against AB 423 on May 5, 2004. The bill was heard, but action was postponed indefinitely.

Lottery: SB 329 (Perata) was a major bill sponsored by GTECH to reduce public schools' portion of Lottery proceeds from 34% to 26%, and increasing the size of prizes from 50% to 60%. CAP's Fred Jones was the only testimony against SB 329 in the policy committee, where the bill passed. After much lobbying of the Senate, SB 329 was defeated on Jan 28, 2004 in the Senate on an 18-13 vote (27 YES votes needed). GTECH did not give up, but introduced a similar measure in the Assembly. AB 2938 (Plescia) was schedule for a vote on June 14, but was abruptly postponed at the last minute.

Gambling: SCA 10 (Florez) would have expanded gambling in California by removing all controls over gambling from the Constitution. Bill died without a hearing.


LEGISLATIVE ISSUES - 2005

The 2005-06 Legislative Session was officially convened on December 6, 2004. Over 1/3 of the State Assembly members are new, and over one-quarter of the State Senate's membership. Total membership of the Senate is 40, with each Senator representing over 800,000 constituents. 80 members make up the state Assembly, with each member representing approximately 400,000 California constituents. This page will announce all new alcohol and gambling legislation, and list appropriate "Calls for Action." Your letters can help.

Here are some of the issues we will be following and which you can help influence:

  • The fight against any efforts to expand California's Lottery.
  • The struggle to control what types of "slot machines" will be authorized in tribal casinos.
  • The need to increase alcohol beverage taxes/fees to help cover this industry's societal costs.
  • The constant fight against efforts by the alcohol industry to increase their sales in California.

Address letters to the Governor: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

Address letters to State Senators: Senator _______________
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

Letters to State Assembly Members: Assembly Member___________
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814