Litigation + Pluto

from Patt Morrison on KPCC | 89.3 FM | 2-3PM

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Court Battles to Come
[ Listen ]
Even among the Sacramento lawmakers who voted for Mayor Villaraigosa's governance bill, there was some question concerning the constitutionality of the plan. Others warned that it might infringe on civil liberties. The California School Boards Association is one of several organizations that may join in a lawsuit if the bill is signed by the Governor. Patt takes a look at the legality of AB 1381 and gets a preview of the court battles to come. Guests include Kevin Reed, General Counsel for the LAUSD, and Scott Folsom, President, Los Angeles 10th District Parent Teacher Student Association.

...and then there were eight!

Assembly member Keith Richman is not letting go of Pluto without a fight. He introduced a referendum to let the "mean-spirited" International Astronomical Union know that Californians are not pleased with the demotion of Pluto.

Below is an excerpt of Assemblyman Richman's referendum:

"...The mean-spirited International Astronomical Union decided on August 24, 2006, to disrespect Pluto by stripping Pluto of its planetary status and reclassifying it as a lowly dwarf planet...

WHEREAS, Pluto, named after the Roman God of the underworld and affectionately sharing the name of California's most famous animated dog, has a special connection to California history and culture; and

WHEREAS, Downgrading Pluto's status will cause psychological harm to some Californians who question their place in the universe and worry about the instability of universal constants...

WHEREAS, The deletion of Pluto as a planet renders millions of text books, museum displays, and children's refrigerator art projects obsolete, and represents a substantial unfunded mandate that must be paid by dwindling Proposition 98 education funds, thereby harming California's children and widening its budget deficits; and

WHEREAS, The downgrading of Pluto reduces the number of planets available for legislative leaders to hide redistricting legislation and other inconvenient political reform measures..."

Richman opposed AB 1381. -smf