Capitol Alert: AM Alert: Farm workers try again with Jerry Brown

When Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Senate Bill 104 in June, he called it a "drastic change" in state agricultural labor relations law and said he was "not yet convinced" it was justified.

In an effort to change his mind, farm workers today start a 167-mile trek up the Central Valley to Sacramento.

The march begins at 9 a.m. in Madera. Organized by the United Farm Workers, it is set to end on Sept. 4 at the Capitol.

The group is pressing for a new version of the "card check" bill, which would have let farm workers bargain collectively if a majority of employees submit petition cards to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

DEATH PENALTY: Sen. Loni Hancock, on a mission to replace the death penalty with permanent imprisonment via SB 490, will host a hearing today on the costs of capital punishment. It begins at 10 a.m. in room 3191 at the Capitol.

Testifying will be Arthur L. Alarcón, senior judge with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Loyola of Los Angeles law professor Paula M. Mitchell. The two have written a report called "Executing the Will of the Voters? - A Roadmap to Mend or End the California Legislature's Multi-Billion Dollar Death Penalty Debacle."

LAWSUIT ABUSE: At 11 a.m., California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse will join various legislators to release the results of a survey on the need for legal system changes.

Among those appearing on the north steps of the Capitol: Travis Hausauer, CALA co-chair and owner of the Squeeze Inn, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dutton, Assemblyman Don Wagner, Assemblywoman Linda Halderman, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, and John Kabateck, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The California Legislative Black Caucus holds its annual scholarship luncheon at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at noon. New Orleans Super Bowl Champion Lynell Hamilton will be the keynote speaker.

Sen. Curren Price, caucus chair, will announce 51 scholarships awarded to high school students from across the state.