Sen Art Torres

Gov. George Deukmejian signed a $50-million bill to finance immigrant education programs in English and civics for another month. The programs offer instruction to immigrants under the 1986 federal amnesty law. The bill by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles), which took effect immediately upon the governor's signature, replenishes funds that ran out unexpectedly because of unanticipated high volumes of alien applicants.

United in their quest to fight Gov. Pete Wilson's veto of the so-called Homeowners' Bill of Rights, about 100 victims of the Northridge earthquake and Altadena fires held a protest in front of a red-tagged house Sunday to voice their outrage. "Citizens are up in arms that Wilson saw fit to veto the Bill of Rights that would help us negotiate with insurance companies," said Sandy Weiss, who with his wife, Marla, owns the quake-ravaged house on Yolanda Avenue in Northridge.

A bill approved by the Senate on Monday to raise the state's gasoline tax 10 cents a gallon includes an amendment by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) that could block efforts to build the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. The bill, by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), was approved by a 27-11 margin and now goes to the Assembly, where further negotiations are expected on the controversial gas tax proposal. One lawmaker who is close to the issue, but who asked not to be identified, said he doubts that the Torres amendment will remain in the measure, partly because of opposition in the Assembly.

Even as lawmakers propose new taxes and bond issues to repair Los Angeles' earthquake damage, about $240 million that voters approved nearly four years ago to strengthen government buildings remains in bureaucratic limbo while the state struggles to determine which of thousands of structures are most in need of repair. Originally expected to take two years, the process of doling out the money from Proposition 122, approved by voters in 1990, has taken far longer and is not complete.

Will play in the annual Press-Legislature Golf Tournament in Sacramento on Monday. Will hold press conferences to encourage ride-sharing to reduce traffic congestion in Los Angeles and San Francisco on Tuesday. Assembly Committee Action: Food Labeling: The Health Committee approved a bill (AB 618) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to require labels of prepackaged food to show specified nutritional information, such as fat and cholesterol content. An 11-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

An amendment inserted into a bill on Monday by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) could scuttle efforts to complete the final leg of the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. By an 18-15 vote, the Senate approved the one-paragraph amendment to prohibit the state from spending its funds on any state highway in Los Angeles County built through a historically significant site or through parks or recreation areas. It was attached to a bill by Sen Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco)

An amendment inserted into a bill on Monday by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) could scuttle efforts to complete the final leg of the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. By an 18-15 vote, the Senate approved the one-paragraph amendment to prohibit the state from spending its funds on any state highway in Los Angeles County built through a historically significant site or through parks or recreation areas. Attached to Bill It was attached to a bill by Sen Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco)

Even as lawmakers propose new taxes and bond issues to repair Los Angeles' earthquake damage, about $240 million that voters approved nearly four years ago to strengthen government buildings remains in bureaucratic limbo while the state struggles to determine which of thousands of structures are most in need of repair. Originally expected to take two years, the process of doling out the money from Proposition 122, approved by voters in 1990, has taken far longer and is not complete.

State Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) suffered minor injuries Saturday when a speeding car in which he was a passenger went out of control, smashed into a concrete abutment and overturned. The accident occurred about 4 a.m. at a curve on a four-lane highway in the Hunters Point district, police said. The driver, Roberto Y. Hernandez, 32, of San Francisco was arrested for walking away from the accident scene and for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The political power of Latinos in Los Angeles County kicked into higher gear Tuesday as Latino Democrats won six primary races for the state Assembly and four for Congress, all in districts that make them virtual sure-fire winners in November. At the same time, the endorsement clout of the county's ranking Latino, Supervisor Gloria Molina, was sorely tried. In key races in heavily Latino-influenced districts with large Democratic majorities, only two of the seven candidates she endorsed won.

The political power of Latinos in Los Angeles County kicked into higher gear Tuesday as Latino Democrats won six primary races for the state Assembly and four for Congress, all in districts that make them virtual sure-fire winners in November. At the same time, the endorsement clout of the county's ranking Latino, Supervisor Gloria Molina, was sorely tried. In key races in heavily Latino-influenced districts with large Democratic majorities, only two of the seven candidates she endorsed won.

Gov. George Deukmejian signed a $50-million bill to finance immigrant education programs in English and civics for another month. The programs offer instruction to immigrants under the 1986 federal amnesty law. The bill by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles), which took effect immediately upon the governor's signature, replenishes funds that ran out unexpectedly because of unanticipated high volumes of alien applicants.

A bill approved by the Senate on Monday to raise the state's gasoline tax 10 cents a gallon includes an amendment by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) that could block efforts to build the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. The bill, by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), was approved by a 27-11 margin and now goes to the Assembly, where further negotiations are expected on the controversial gas tax proposal. One lawmaker who is close to the issue, but who asked not to be identified, said he doubts that the Torres amendment will remain in the measure, partly because of opposition in the Assembly.

An amendment inserted into a bill on Monday by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) could scuttle efforts to complete the final leg of the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. By an 18-15 vote, the Senate approved the one-paragraph amendment to prohibit the state from spending its funds on any state highway in Los Angeles County built through a historically significant site or through parks or recreation areas. It was attached to a bill by Sen Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco)

An amendment inserted into a bill on Monday by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) could scuttle efforts to complete the final leg of the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. By an 18-15 vote, the Senate approved the one-paragraph amendment to prohibit the state from spending its funds on any state highway in Los Angeles County built through a historically significant site or through parks or recreation areas. Attached to Bill It was attached to a bill by Sen Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco)

Will play in the annual Press-Legislature Golf Tournament in Sacramento on Monday. Will hold press conferences to encourage ride-sharing to reduce traffic congestion in Los Angeles and San Francisco on Tuesday. Assembly Committee Action: Food Labeling: The Health Committee approved a bill (AB 618) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to require labels of prepackaged food to show specified nutritional information, such as fat and cholesterol content. An 11-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

United in their quest to fight Gov. Pete Wilson's veto of the so-called Homeowners' Bill of Rights, about 100 victims of the Northridge earthquake and Altadena fires held a protest in front of a red-tagged house Sunday to voice their outrage. "Citizens are up in arms that Wilson saw fit to veto the Bill of Rights that would help us negotiate with insurance companies," said Sandy Weiss, who with his wife, Marla, owns the quake-ravaged house on Yolanda Avenue in Northridge.

With no votes to spare, the state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation requiring all bicycle riders in California under the age of 18 to wear crash helmets or pay a fine of $25. A 21-13 vote, the precise majority required, sent the proposal back to the Assembly, which narrowly approved it two months ago. If it wins Assembly passage again, as expected, it will go to an uncertain future at the hands of Gov. Pete Wilson.

State Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) suffered minor injuries Saturday when a speeding car in which he was a passenger went out of control, smashed into a concrete abutment and overturned. The accident occurred about 4 a.m. at a curve on a four-lane highway in the Hunters Point district, police said. The driver, Roberto Y. Hernandez, 32, of San Francisco was arrested for walking away from the accident scene and for driving under the influence of alcohol.