SN&R chats with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg about the future of mental-health services in California
By Jeff vonKaenel

At first, I was confused in my search for State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg’s office in Room 200 of the state Capitol. When I asked a fellow passing by for directions, he gave me a look that New Yorkers give when you ask “Where’s the Empire State Building?”—a look that says, “You’re clearly not part of our world.”

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said Thursday that the Legislature will consider some sort of pension reform bill this session, and he didn't rule out sending a hybrid plan for new hires to Gov. Jerry Brown for a signature.

The Sacramento Democrat talked at length about pensions during a morning meeting with the Capitol press corps on Thursday. The Bee's Torey Van Oot was there and passed this six-minute audio file from the event.

Making textbooks truly affordable, or even available free, is the least we can do for California's beleaguered college and university students. And the state would ultimately benefit.

George Skelton
Capitol Journal
December 12, 2011
From Sacramento

Sadly, today's college students have been handed a much worse deal than their parents' generation enjoyed in California.

By David Lazarus

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill requiring health insurers to include coverage for treatments associated with autism.

When I read that Monday, my first thought was: Why aren't such treatments already covered?

But my question was quickly answered by a statement from the California Assn. of Health Plans, an industry group, which warned that the new law will "drive up healthcare costs for families and businesses by nearly $850 million a year."