Today's preliminary rundown

CTNS PRELIMINARY RUNDOWN

CAPITOL TELEVISION NEWS SERVICE

SACRAMENTO, CA

OFFICE: (916) 446-7890

FAX: (916) 446-7893

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: FOR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND/OR REQUESTS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL VENUS STROMBERG: 916-396-5140 OR ROB GRIFFITH: 916-600-8614).

1. China, Tibet and the Torch SOTS

Efforting soundbites from lawmakers regarding China's human rights record and the Olympic torch run scheduled through San Francisco tomorrow.

2. Dog Fighting Penalty VO/SOT

Senator Ron Calderon will discuss his bill intended to reduce the incidence of dog-fighting in California. The would authorize the forfeiture of property used in the commission of illegal dog fights. Dogs injured in fights and animals activists will attend the news conference at the State Capitol promoting the bill. Efforting soundbites and video.

3. Mylar Balloon Ban VO/SOT

A bill being considered by the Senate Public Safety Committee would ban the sale of mylar-coated balloons in California. The bill is supported by utilities and municipalities, which claim the balloons cause costly power outages. Efforting soundbites and video.

4. Domestic Violence Database VO/SOT

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence will oppose a bill by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma that would create a web-accessible data base of convicted domestic violence offenders. The group is concerned the database could potentially be used to harm domestic violence victims. Efforting soundbitwes and video.

5. Gift Limits for Lawmakers VO/SOT

The Assembly Elections Committee will consider legislation to limit the gifts that lobbyists employers may give to lawmakers and key staff members to 10 dollars per month. Currently, those limits are placed on only the lobbyists themselves so their employers such as big businesses, unions and other special interests can give thousand of dollars in gifts such as sporting event and concert tickets. Some government reform groups contend lawmakers are then more inclined to vote in the manner the special interests want them to rather than in the interest of their constituents and other Californians on certain bills. Efforting soundbites and video.

6. CalTrans Workers Memorial Day VO

The California Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week today with a Memorial ceremony for the 170 CalTrans employees who have been killed on the job since 1924. Efforting video.

--ITEMS BELOW FYI ONLY - NO VIDEO--

Writers to Sacramento - Writers from MASH are expected to attend a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of a bill by Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) that will change how television shows and films are sold.

O.J. Owes Back Taxes - O.J. Simpson still owes the state of California Franchise Tax Board about 1.5 million dollars. He made the list of the 250 worst offenders of non payment of state taxes.

Special Education Bill - Senator Gloria Romero will conduct a press conference at the State Capitol with special education students and their parents to call for extending the exemption which expires this year for such students from passing the High School Exit Exam.

Tribal Lands - The Senate Government Organization Committee will consider legislation that will require tribes to only build casinos on land where tribes have historically maintained their reservations.

Janitors Lobby - Janitors will make a presentation to the Legislative Latino Caucus to unveil a report on living conditions for low income janitors in California to lobby with union supporters for a contract for those who work as janitors in the biotech, high tech and commercial real estate industry.

Green Building Codes -The State and Consumer Services Agency and Department of General Services will host a workshop about green building standards and codes.

GOVERNOR'S SCHEDULE

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Modesto for a budget reform event.

LEGISLATURE'S SCHEDULE

No sessions are scheduled. Members of the Senate and Assembly will check in in order to collect their legislative per diem payments.

--END CTNS PRELIMINARY RUNDOWN--