DAN WALTERS DAILY:California's computer problems are the focus of today's video.
A group of California chefs, unhappy that a law banning force-feeding of ducks and geese to enlarge their livers takes effect on July 1, is working the Capitol this week.
The group, the Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards (CHEFS) instead wants a new law regulating foie gras production.
On Monday, the chefs circulated a proposed charter at the Capitol, calling for regular audits by certified animal welfare experts, cage-free birds, trained caretakers, hand feeding, reasonable limits on fattening, and feeding methods that do not impair breathing or harm the animal in any way. Now they are in search of an author.
"I am a stickler for quality," said Victor Scargle, executive chef of Lucy at Bardessono in Yountville in a statement. "I want California's standards for foie gras to be something we all can be proud of."
The author of the law, signed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004, is not impressed.
"SB 1520 already allows foie gras to be sold, unless it is the result of force feeding of geese and ducks," former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton said in a Monday letter to lawmakers. "I believe that force feeding is a very inhumane practice....If these chefs have any doubt about that, they could sit at a table and have someone cram whatever food they like, including foie gras, down their throats and see how they like it."
VOTER GUIDE:Wondering who all those candidates are on your sample ballot? The Sacramento Bee's Voter Guide can help you sort through the possibilities. Just type in your address and zip code to find your races.
CHILD SAFETY:Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, pursuing a resolution to declare May "California Child Safety Awareness Month," will hold a press conference today with the father of Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped from her home at 14 in 2002 and found alive nine months later.
Ma wants parents to use child identification kits to store fingerprints and DNA swabs as a precaution in case their child goes missing. The event is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. in room 1190 at the Capitol.
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