Governor Proclaimed February to be Black History...

Governor Proclaimed February to be Black History Month and Community College Month.

Assembly Committee Action: School Aid: The Assembly Education Committee approved a bill (SB 137) by Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia) to restore $76.2 million in aid to elementary and secondary schools and community colleges that was vetoed by Gov. George Deukmejian last year. A 9-3 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee for more screening.

Bill Introductions: Litter: AB 480 by Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) would allow the courts to order first-time litter offenders to pick up litter and increase the minimum fine for the offense from $25 to $125.

Freeway Construction: AB 455 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would require freeway construction and maintenance work to be done between sunset and sunrise in metropolitan areas.

Senate Bill Introductions: Cal-Vet Loans: SB 285 by Sen. Newton R. Russell (R-Glendale) would increase from $75,000 to $90,000 the maximum amount of Cal-Vet home purchase loans.

Child Care: SB 278 by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) would place on the June primary election ballot next year a $100-million bond issue to build child-care facilities.

Miscellany Population: California’s population experienced its largest one-year gain in 1985-86 since 1942-43 during World War II, according to Jesse Huff, state director of finance. The state’s total population was 26,981,000 last July 1, over 9 million more residents than second-ranked New York. The 623,000 new California residents last year included 472,000 births and a net migration of 356,000 newcomers. There also were 205,000 deaths. The 1942-43 gain was 771,000 new residents. Riverside was the fastest-growing large county in California last year with a 5.6% population increase.