By Erika Aguilar |Staff Writer| In light of recent police shootings, states across the country are pushing for the passing of the 'Blue Lives Matter' (BLM) bill. This bill will increase criminal penalties for crimes committed against officers to provide protection for law enforcement and prevent threats against them. Police believe they are being victimized by criminals and targeted as a hate group for the fact that they are the authority. The bill could possibly make an effort to reduce that amount by providing protection to officers, especially In states and cities such as San Bernardino, which have a high rate of homicides. Police would have more protection in regards to … [Read more...] about Blue Lives Matter Law
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“California Promise” bill promises to help students
By Joel Cruz |Staff Writer| A new bill designed to increase graduation rates was introduced to California’s legislature by Sen. Steve Glazer. SB-1450, or the “California Promise,” aims to provide a new pathway for incoming college freshmen students to graduate in four years. “One thing that we fall short on is the issue of student success, being able to complete your degree in four years, and unfortunately California State University ranks near the bottom,” stated Glazer in a video of a press conference at Cal State Sacramento. Only one out of five, or 19 percent of Cal State students, who enter college as full-time freshmen graduate within four years, … [Read more...] about “California Promise” bill promises to help students
Cybersecurity bill passed
By Marco Montoya |Staff Writer| The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) was passed on Oct. 27. CISA was passed by the senate despite opposition from many big tech companies, privacy activists and even some lawmakers, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. This bill allegedly will make it easier for companies that feel victimized by high profile hacking to report the incident to the government and will protect them from lawsuits. The bill will make information on cyber attacks available for government access, which was previously considered private. Although the bill has a large group opposed to it, it is supported by the White House, … [Read more...] about Cybersecurity bill passed
NSA now can’t spy on you
By Jorge Campos |Staff Writer| The House of Representatives passed the USA Freedom Act to end the National Security Agency’s (NSA) cellular spying program. The American spying program automatically collects and records people’s phone information and was ruled illegal on Thursday, May 7. Congress will now have to immediately decide whether or not to end or replace the controversial anti-terrorist surveillance system, according to The Telegraph. The bill passed with a vote of 388-88, putting an end to the government’s collection of phone records, according to wired.com. However, the USA Freedom Act, which will stop the NSA from acquiring access to this information, is not in the … [Read more...] about NSA now can’t spy on you
U.S. forces engage ISIS on the ground
By Jorge Campos |Staff Writer| An American force has fought its first actual encounter against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) when an attack was made by tribal forces in an attempt to remove U.S. forces from their base, according to SHAFAQ News, which provides daily news in Iraq. U.S. troops have entered with its Iraqi partner, according to Colonel Salam Nazim, against ISIS and clashed with them for more than two hours, according to SHAFAQ News. Obama requested congressional authorization for limited use of American armed forces to defeat an Islamic terrorist army. He declared that the congressional passage of the measure makes the U.S. the strongest in the fight and, … [Read more...] about U.S. forces engage ISIS on the ground
President Obama signs Homeland security funding bill
By Jorge Campos |Staff Writer| The House of Representatives approved the full fiscal funding for the U.S. Homeland Security. The House voted 257-167 to approve the bill after a messy conflict in Congress, according to FOX News. On Tuesday, March 3, the Bill was signed by the House of Representatives, according to the Washington Post. Obama signed the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, formally ending a draw that revolved around Republican efforts to block his immigration actions, according to USA Today. According to USA Today, shortly after the House passed the long stalled bill, Obama said that "the Homeland Security officials work to secure … [Read more...] about President Obama signs Homeland security funding bill
Bill suggests teachers use firearms
By Angela E. Rodriguez |Staff Writer| Assemblyman Tom Donnelly is in support of Assembly Bill 202 (AB 202), which would allow educational funds to be directed for training teachers in proper firearm use. This bill would permit teachers to carry firearms on campus and was introduced on Jan. 30. “We have a moral obligation that the next Vicki Soto, who is faced with inexplicable evil, that she not be left defenseless,” said to Donnelly, referring to one of the Sandy Hook elementary school teachers killed. AB 202 would permit teachers who are trained in the proper use of a firearm to carry hidden weapons without having to put their names on a list of those licensed to do so. The … [Read more...] about Bill suggests teachers use firearms
Allowing students to vote on campus fees is a bad idea
By Sara Nydam |Staff Writer| The State Senate Education Committee is considering a new bill that I believe would waste a lot of your time and money. If SB-960 is passed “any new campus-based mandatory fees, other than those for instructionally related purposes, cannot be established without an affirmative vote of the student body,” according to the bill. Having the entire student body vote on campus fees may seem like a good idea, but it’s not. I believe the Education Committee should vote against SB-960 because this bill would translate into a lot of time spent trying to get students to vote on campus fees. Mandatory fees are determined by a Fee Advisory Committee and “at least … [Read more...] about Allowing students to vote on campus fees is a bad idea
Leave our interest rates alone
By Shanieka Perrier |Staff Writer| It’s unfair that Congress is considering doubling our student loan interest rates. Congress is set to pass a bill doubling interest rates on student loans.This decision is taking place this summer, according to the LA Times. I’m a college undergraduate student dependent on loans. How am I going to pay back these ridiculous loan rates after I graduate? What’s interesting to me is that both Obama and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) agree that Congress shouldn’t increase the student loan rates, according to Yahoo! News. It bothers me that Romney doesn’t have a clear plan. I would like to know how Romney plans to help out low-income undergraduate … [Read more...] about Leave our interest rates alone
Senate Bill seeks to limit CSU president salaries
By Melissa Benton |Staff Writer| Senate Bill 755, introduced by Senator Ted W. Lieu, would limit CSU president salaries to 150 percent of the salary of California’s Chief Justice. According to the National Center for State Courts, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye currently earns $228,856. This means that CSU presidents could earn up to $343,269. SB 755 would require that the CSU Board of Trustees discuss tuition or salary increases in an open session. It also would stop pay increases or bonuses to campus presidents if student tuition was raised in the last three years. This change to the bill was introduced because of San Diego State University (SDSU) which received a new … [Read more...] about Senate Bill seeks to limit CSU president salaries