Today's preliminary rundown

CTNS PRELIMINARY RUNDOWN

CAPITOL TELEVISION NEWS SERVICE

SACRAMENTO, CA

OFFICE: (916) 446-7890

FAX: (916) 446-7893

Thursday, August 28th , 2008

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STEVE GEISSINGER CELL: (916) 396-5140.

1. Prison Guard Pay Raise Update VO/SOT

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) California chapter will make what it's calling a major announcement this morning regarding the CCPOA's (prison guards union) $557,000 in contributions to a political committee run by Senator President Pro Tempore Don Perata. Most of the contributions were made during this month, while the CCPOA is lobbying lawmakers to pass a bill giving prison guards a pay raise. Efforting soundbites and video.

2. No Budget - Day 59 VO/SOT

Today the state budget is 59 days overdue, making it among the top three most overdue budgets in state history. (If the budget delay continues through next week, more records will be broken). A budget deal may be shaping up in the state Senate, That deal could include a one percent sales tax increase.

3. The Survey Says... VO/SOT

The Public Policy Institute of California will discuss results of its recent survey of voter attitudes toward state government, the budget, Presidential choices, and attitudes toward November ballot measures Propositions 4 (parental abortion notification) 8 (gay marriage) and 11 (redistricting). Efforting soundbites and video.

4. Holiday Death Count Anniversary VO/SOT

The CHP and other agencies will discuss the 60th anniversary of its Maximum Enforcement Periods, which are when officers increase their patrols of California roads and highways during holidays, when roadway travel increases. Efforting soundbites and video.

--ITEMS BELOW FYI ONLY NO VIDEO--

Public Health Hearing- The Little Hoover Commission will hold a hearing this morning to assess the first year of the California Public health Department's performance.

Proposition 1A- On Wednesday, the California Secretary of State announced the amended High Speed Rail Bond ballot measure will be designated Proposition 1A. The original ballot measure has been amended by the legislature, and then signed into law by the Governor on Tuesday. The amended proposition in intended to increase oversight of how the bond money is spent, and allows more flexibility in spending the bond money on routes south of Los Angeles and in California's Central Valley north of the Pacheco Pass between Los Banos and Gilroy.

Restaurant Calorie Bill- On Wednesday, the Assembly passed SB1420, a bill requiring restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets to post menu item calorie information on their menus and indoor menu boards. The bill will go back to the Senate for concurrence, they to the Governor's desk.

Balance Billing Bill- A senate bill to ban the practice of what's called balance billing passed out of the Assembly yesterday. The bill require ER doctors and insurance companies to arbitrate billing disputes involving physician fees and insurance companies payments. Currently, patients are being charged that "balance," i.e., the difference between what the doctors charge and what the insurance company wants to pay.

GOVERNOR'S SCHEDULE

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Sacramento. He has no public events Scheduled.

LEGISLATURE'S SCHEDULE

The Assembly convenes at 9:30. The Senate meets at 11 a.m. Both houses will be considering bills already passed by the other house. The deadline for passing bills for the current legislative session is Sunday.

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