CDCR
California's lethal injection chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is arguing that it doesn't have to give up its stock of the lethal injection drug sodium thiopental to the federal government. In a letter dated May 1, 2012, CDCR General Counsel Benjamin Rice told Domenic Veneziano, director of the FDA's Division of Import Operations and Policy, that "CDCR must decline to return the thiopental in its possession at this time."
The letter was in response to the FDA's order in April that states that imported the execution drug from abroad stop using them and return them to the FDA.
The drug, sodium thiopental, is an anesthetic used by many states as an execution drug. In California, the drug is the first of three used — the condemned inmate is first put to sleep using thiopental, then given a paralyzing drug, followed by a third drug that stops his or her heart.
In 2010, the US experienced a massive shortfall in sodium thiopental supplies because the sole US manufacturer lacked a necessary ingredient. That firm, Hospira, was also the only source of the drug approved by the FDA. The company has since completely abandoned making the drug, as it had always objected to its use in executions.
Amidst this scarcity, California and several other states purchased sodium thiopental from a company in the United Kingdom. Some have used the drug in executions. At the time, the FDA, did not interfere with the states importing the drug.
In April of this year, following a lawsuit by death row inmates, the FDA issued a letter ordering the states that bought foreign drugs to return their supplies to the agency. The inmates had argued the drugs had not been reviewed for their effectiveness. If the drug didn't work properly, they argued, they could experience severe pain during an execution, a violation of the Eight Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
The CDCR, in its May 1 letter, the CDCR urged the FDA to appeal the ruling in the death row inmates' suit, Cook v. FDA. The FDA apparently agrees. On Friday, the agency filed papers in federal court to appeal the ruling's ban on importing foreign sodium thiopental.
Source: www.scpr.org
California Water Service Group's President & CEO Peter C. Nelson to Succeed Retiring Chair Robert W. Foy - Yahoo Finance
SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire -05/22/12)- California Water Service Group (CWT) today announced its Board of Directors' plan to combine the roles of Chairman and President & Chief Executive Officer and have President & Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson succeed retiring Chairman Robert W. Foy, effective May 22, 2012. Douglas M. Brown will continue to serve as lead director.
Foy, a 35-year Board veteran who has reached retirement age for directors, expressed confidence in the decision: "Pete has demonstrated his leadership ability and we are confident that he will do a fine job as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board. It makes good business sense to streamline decision-making and capitalize on Pete's extensive experience and expertise."
Nelson was elected President & Chief Executive Officer of California Water Service Group in 1996. Prior to joining the company, he had increasingly responsible positions in engineering, construction management, marketing, corporate and diversification planning, finance, operations, and general management at Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He serves as director of the California Chamber of Commerce and chairs the organization's Water Resources Committee. He is also a director of the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum, and an advisory council member at the Center for Public Utilities, New Mexico State University. Past affiliations include president of the National Association of Water Companies, director of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, and founding director of the Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
Douglas M. Brown, who joined the California Water Service Group Board of Directors in 2001 and is currently the Dean of the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico, will continue to serve as lead director.
California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service Company, Washington Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company, Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc., CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services, LLC. Together these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to approximately 2 million people in more than 100 California, Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii communities. Group's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CWT."
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include but are not limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; new legislation; changes in accounting valuations and estimates; the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulations on internal controls; electric power interruptions; increases in suppliers' prices and the availability of supplies including water and power; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; acquisitions and our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies; the ability to successfully implement business plans; changes in customer water use patterns; the impact of weather on water sales and operating results; access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; the involvement of the United States in war or other hostilities; restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph. The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
Shannon Dean
(310) 257-1435
Source: finance.yahoo.com
California Senate OKs buffer for cars passing cyclists - Los Angeles Times
California motorists would have to provide three feet of space between their vehicles and bicycles they pass on the road under legislation approved Friday by the state Senate.
Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) said his measure is needed because the current law, requiring only that motorists pass at a "safe distance," has not adequately protected bicyclists. "This definition is vague and leaves everyone vulnerable," Lowenthal told his colleagues. "It’s time that California protect both its bicyclists and its motorists."
Collisions in which cars pass from behind are responsible for about 40% of bicycle deaths involving motor vehicles, he said. Twenty other states have a rule of at least three feet.
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill last year because of concern that it also required motorists to slow to 15 mph, which law enforcement felt could cause safety and traffic problems. The new bill tries to address the governor’s concern by requiring motorists to slow to a reasonable speed.
SB 1464 would allow motorists to cross a solid yellow line between traffic if it is safe to do so and necessary to give bicyclists a three-foot buffer. Drivers who pass too close would face an infraction with a $35 fine. The cost would be $233 after all court fees and surcharges are added in.
The fine would be $220 ($959 with court fees) if a collision results in bodily injury to the cyclist. The measure passed 27-6, with some Republicans in opposition, and next goes to the Assembly for consideration.
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Jerry Brown unveils revised budget
U.S. Attorney blasts wildfire proposal
California continues courtroom push to cut costs
--Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento
Photo: A bicyclist rides alongside cars in downtown L.A. last year the day after a 63-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed by a car on a downtown street. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
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