by Chanaye J. Thomas
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – PG&E’s wooden utility poles bleed dioxin into San Francisco Bay, says the environmental watch dog group Ecological Rights Foundation (ERF). In a federal lawsuit fi led in San Francisco, ERF claims dioxin discharges from the utility poles violate both the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Dioxin is a contaminant in the pesticide pentachlorophenol (“penta”), the chemical used to treat more than one million PG&E utility poles in Northern California. Dioxin is a known human carcinogen. It also causes birth defects at extremely low levels.
The ERF suit asks the court to stop PG&E from discharging dioxin from its utility poles, a move that could eventually lead to widescale replacement of the ubiquitous penta-treated wood poles.
Parents, not zipcodes, decide on schools for children
SB 680, which allows parents to send their child to the public school district they choose that participates in the District of Choice (DOC) program, received a 37-0 bipartisan vote from the California State Senate, concurring with changes passed in the Assembly 46-15.
“This legislation is really about providing equal opportunities in education for all California students,” said Romero. “Parents, not zip codes, should decide if a school is providing those opportunities for their child.”
The Governor has 30 days to sign the bill into law and has previously expressed support for the measure.
Recovery of high school dropouts
A press release recently reported that Gateway to College National Network announced the launching of the Gateway to College program at City College of San Francisco.
The program currently serves 50 students, and is expected to serve up to 300 students through its first three years of operation.
“Across the country, we know students are facing a broad range of serious challenges, many of which have nothing to do with academics…Gateway to College provides an academic path to a high school diploma and college degree, as well as the wrap-around support services…” added Dukehart, Executive Director of Gateway to College National Network.
California students and the approved Stem Cell Bill
A recent report stated that a bill to help California develop a homegrown workforce for the state’sstem cell and biotechnology industries cleared its final hurdle in the legislature today with Senate approval of amendments the Assembly adopted Tuesday.
SB 471 gives school districts and science teachers access to new curriculum materials so students do not lag behind in new technology fields that are an engine for economic prosperity in California.
“In tough financial times we must find new, creative ways to promote education that creates a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Steinberg (D- Sacramento).
Days of gun shows at the Cow Palace appear numbered.
A recent press release announced that the California Assembly voted by a 45-33 margin passed a legislation on Wednesday banning the sale of firearms and ammunition at the state-owned entertainment venue.
If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs Senate Bill 585 into law, the ban will take effect Jan. 1, 2013.
The bill is “about respecting local values and local standards,” said state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who authored the legislation. The residents around the Cow Palace “do not want gun shows there.”
