Sen Bergeson

State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) has introduced legislation that would allow Orange County to pay for new courthouses by collecting about $5 million a year in increased fines on traffic and parking tickets and from sentenced criminals. The money would go toward a planned $22-million Juvenile Court facility in Orange and a $100-million Superior Court annex in Santa Ana. Bergeson's bill would increase surcharges on fines and forfeitures collected in Orange and six other counties.

Pledging to tackle California's problems with stronger "leadership and vision," Republican state Sen. Marian Bergeson of Newport Beach on Thursday declared her candidacy for lieutenant governor in 1990. Bergeson, who generally is considered to be a moderate but describes herself as a "pragmatic conservative," said that, if elected, she will use the nearly powerless lieutenant governor's post as a kind of bully pulpit to rally Californians on such issues as education, transportation and economic development.

Another legislative victory seemingly secured, Marian Bergeson rose and began to walk out of the Assembly hearing room where she had won and lost on numerous issues before. "It was a pleasure, Senator," called out Assembly Ways and Means subcommittee Chairman Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton), who had just sided with Bergeson on the appropriation of $2.7 million to dredge Upper Newport Bay. "As always," Johnston added, "persuasive and quite effective."

State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), a veteran Orange County state legislator and one of the county's best known women politicians, on Friday announced plans to run for reelection, this time in the coastal 35th Senate District. "I'm terribly enthusiastic about running for reelection and serving this district," Bergeson said Friday. "I'm very comfortable with it, and I expect it will be very challenging." Although Bergeson, 66, came under fire last year for supporting Gov.

State Sen. Marian Bergeson's expected entry this week into the Republican primary for lieutenant governor--a seat already being sought by fellow Sen. John Seymour of Anaheim--would pit two of Orange County's most respected and well-liked legislators against each other. It is enough, as one county politico said, "to cause a lot of heartburn" among potential supporters who are likely to be tapped by both of them for financial and political assistance. "Marian and John both are close friends and two very effective legislators.

Your article, "O.C's Bergeson Has Proved a Capitol Asset, (Feb.13)," lists legislative accomplishments of our state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach). It does not mention "The Bergeson Act." Naming a law after one of its members is a special way in which legislators honor a colleague. Offhand, I can't think of anyone else Orange County currently sends to Sacramento that has been so honored. "The Bergeson Act" is the California Teacher Credentialing law of 1988. It has had two effects--one intended, the other not. The intended effect was to boost teacher standards.

A bill sponsored by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) that would give cities and counties the ability to require that children wear bicycle helmets moved closer to a final vote this week. Bergeson said in an interview Thursday that the bill would give local officials the tools needed to prevent "needless tragedies," such as the death of a 12-year-old Mission Viejo boy last week who collided with a car while riding his bike less than a block from his home. He was not wearing a helmet.

Hoping to keep young people from getting hooked on tobacco, the Senate on Thursday passed a measure by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) that prohibits the promotional giveaway of cigarettes and chewing tobacco on street corners. Bergeson said the ban, which she proposed at the request of the California Medical Assn., is necessary to prevent tobacco companies from recruiting new, underaged customers by indiscriminately dumping millions of free samples on the public.

Gayle Wilson, wife of Gov. Pete Wilson, and state Sen. Marian Bergeson on Tuesday visited the UCI Child Development Center as part of "famous people week." But while the children were enthusiastic hosts, the women's fame was lost on some. "Do you have a husband named Mr. Wilson?" asked one 8-year-old named Matt. "Because Mr. Wilson is in 'Dennis The Menace.'