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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

California Has Gone Mad

“Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason."— Mark Twain

I live in a state that has gone mad. From sanctuary cities and teaching about homosexual heroes in our K-12 schools to having the most onerous regulations of any state in the nation. The state has $26 billion dollar budget that no one knows how to pay for. Our roads are going to pot and we have at least 3 million illegal immigrants collecting welfare and free medical. Our politicians can’t even begin to fathom how to solve the problems th unfunded liabilities be creating from an over-bloated public sector pension and retirement system and our governor is an dinosaur Democrat who is serving a second round after screwing up his first go at it.

Now with all of these problems what id the California legislature concerned about? Flat sheets vs. fitted sheets, yes that’s right hotel bed sheets. Fox News reports:

“That’s the weighty question facing the California Legislature, which is considering a bill that would regulate what type of sheets can be used on hotel bed mattresses across the state.”

“Supporters of the bill argue it will reduce worker injuries by eliminating the need for workers to repetitively lift extremely heavy mattresses when making beds. They contend that flat sheets cause workers to strain their backs, shoulders and wrists, and are often responsible for repetitive motion injuries.”

“State Bill 432, sponsored by Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), also calls for the use of long-handled tools like mops and dusters so housekeepers do not have to get down on their hands and knees to clean bathroom floors.”

“Just by using fitted sheets you could cut the number of lifts inFlat or Fitted Sheets half, and we think that would go a long way in preventing worker injury,” said Leigh Shelton, a spokesperson for UNITE HERE, a union that represents California hospitality workers.”

“But the California Hotel and Lodging Association says replacing existing sheets to comply with the bill could cost between $30 million and $50 million.”

“At a time when California’s looking at over a $26 billion budget, you would kind of think that the legislature had other things to worry about,” said Randi Knott, of the California Hotel and Lodging Association.”

“Hotel operators argue they will need to purchase new equipment in order to launder the fitted sheets. They also say fitted sheets will have to be replaced more often, that the elastic in fitted sheets breaks down faster than fabric, and that fitted sheets cost more to iron, fold and store.”

“And Knott says hotel owners already offer the long-handled mops and dusters to cleaners, but aren't used.”

“The hotel association doubts that a sheet change would significantly decrease workers injuries, and say if it was, such a widespread problem the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration would be involved.”

If there was a regulatory system through OSHA that handles issues related to workers injuries, and if this is as much of a problem as the proponents of the bill are saying it is, I believe OSHA would have been involved a long time ago,” said Knott.

”Others argue California's elected leaders should be addressing more pressing problems in the state -- like balancing the budget. And even if the bill is passed, Knott says, it will be too difficult to effectively enforce.”

“When you think about enforcement at the local level, I’d like to know how the state plans on enforcing it in the 550,000 hotel rooms. It’s a bit unwieldy.”

“That’s one issue the Senate Appropriations Committee is attempting to figure out, as it tries to determine the possible fiscal impact the bill has on the state.”

“There is still some uncertainty with the bill dealing with the issue of enforcement. And we’re not sure if this is a question of a complaint-driven process, or whether this is handled as part of typical or ongoing inspections that are done,” said Bob Franzoia, staff director of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “

“But the hotel workers union say that they'll continue to push for reform, especially after a study that they commissioned concluded there was a higher injury rate among hotel housekeepers when compared to most other service workers.”

No doubt SEIU, the service union that backs Democrats, is behind this legislation. And no doubt with SEIU’s backing this legislation will pass the Democrat dominated California state assembly and senate and the governor moonbeam will sign it. After all he owes his election to SEIU.

So as some point in the near future when you check into a hotel in California you will be sleeping on fitted sheets and paying more for the room. Also the maids will be using more friendly mops. God help the state of California.

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