The Legislature is often accused – and rightfully so – of misplacing priorities. One example of this is Assembly Bill 1366, authored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, of West Hollywood, which involves banning water softeners.
Specifically, the measure authorizes local water boards to seize water softeners from private residential homes to supposedly solve the problem of water salinity in rivers and streams. This bill is being pushed through the Legislature – despite the fact that a recent water softener ban in Santa Clarita did not do enough to solve the water salinity of the Santa Clara River. The policy did not work at the local level; one can only guess why Mr. Feuer believes it would work on a statewide level.
But here’s the kicker: while the Legislature wants to ban the use of water softeners by law-abiding civilians, the state is currently purchasing large quantities of softeners for the criminally insane! The state has recently purchased large quantities of water softeners for prisons, even as the water board pushed to ban civilians from using these softeners. The State of California is placing the water needs of murderers and rapists over everyday homeowners. These facilities use significantly more salt than residential water softeners. Maybe Assemblyman Feuer should target the prisons and other state facilities, not the people, of California.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Senator Runner should be thanked for drawing attention to this issue which is highly discriminatory toward homeowners throughout the State. If the State of California sees value in protecting the water using appliances in State Prisons then why could it be denied to a homeowner wanting to protect their water heater, dish washer, washing machine, fixtures, etc.?? And, it doesn’t just apply to State Prisons but also to State Universities and Medical Centers/Hospitals. When will the California Legislature recognize that actions such as this are highly discrimantory, arbitrary and capricious and have little to do with protecting the interests of citizens throughout the State??
Thank you Senator Runner.