Catriona: I still miss The West Wing and I've visited the Governor's mansion in Sacramento more times than I can explain (how interesting is Ronald Reagan's telly?), so I'm thrilled to have a real live professional political operative here as the guest at the Ranch of Fatality today. Kris Calvin, a former local elected official, and now CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, has been honoured by the State Assembly and the California Governor's office for her leadership in political advocacy on behalf of children.
Kris spends her days steeped in politics (and her nights writing mysteries - giveaway details below). So when she thinks of summertime, it's not umbrella drinks, strappy sandals, or sunblock that spring to mind . . .
Here's Kris:
Political thrillers and mysteries, including TV's popular House of Cards, generally focus on high-stake legislation or international conflict. But a lot of what keeps politicians busy are the many little things that affect our daily lives - it's been estimated that state legislatures together pass >40,000 new laws each year.
And as in so many things, California is a trend-setter in law-making. So whether you plan to travel to California this summer, you live there or you're just curious what we "wacky left-coasters" are up to, here are five recent laws from the Golden State that will have greatest impact June-August, when the weather is warm and school is out.
Free the Beach The public’s right to frolic in the sea and to walk on the sand below the high tideline is enshrined in California’s Constitution. But until recently the only way to challenge beachfront property owners who restricted public access was by filing a lawsuit. Assembly Bill 976 will instead permit state fines on “beach-blockers” of over $10,000 per day. Now the only suits involved will be bikinis, so don yours and hop that fence to paradise…
Catriona: Did you know in the UK the Queen owns all the land between the high tideline and the low tideline? She's not even a beachcomber.
Brown is the New Green With California’s drought in its fourth year, the Governor has ordered the first statewide mandatory restrictions on water use, at 75% of 2013 levels. While passing through California’s estate neighborhoods this summer, don’t be surprised to see yards that resemble Luke Skywalker’s desert-like home planet of Tatooine.
Catriona: I'm the proud owner of a filthy car and a brown lawn myself.
BYO Bag If you’re planning a BBQ or pool party, don’t head to a large market/retailer in California without bringing your own bags for purchases. SB 270 will soon make it illegal statewide for a large retailer to supply a single-use bag without charge.
Catriona: I predict much harrumphing . . .
Pump Palace Jetting to a summer getaway without your nursing baby? If you travel to (or through) California, AB 1787 will soon require airports to provide a dedicated room for expressing milk, complete with outlets for high-tech breast-milk pumps.
Catriona: Jane Austen liked visiting the pump room at the Assembly Halls in Bath. How times change.
No Drone Zones Your own backyard might seem the perfect spot to avoid tan lines by sunbathing “au natural”. But that’s so pre-millennium, given the increasing proliferation of privately owned drones with image-capturing capabilities. California Senate Bill 142, moving through the legislature now, would make it illegal to use a flying drone to take photos over private property. Not the law yet, so cover up if you’re cautious, but we’ll likely see private no-drone-zones very soon.
Catriona: Kris, you've put a big dent in the claim that California is just like everywhere else. Thank you for being here and thank you very much for giving a way a signed copy of your brand new debut - congratulations on it too!
Kris Calvin was educated at Stanford and UC Berkeley in psychology and economics, She loves mysteries and thinks there's no better way to achieve work-life balance than to stumble upon a corpse, unravel the relevant clues and find the killer (so long as all of that happens between the covers of a good book).
One Murder More is her debut novel. Comment to be entered into a draw for a signed copy.
Find Kris at www.kriscalvin.com.
This book sounds just like what I would love. I'm working on a political thriller, too.
Posted by: Debi Huff | June 09, 2015 at 06:43 AM
Ah, a kindred spirit! I've worked in politics and the California Gubmint for 30 years. I should not only get to read your book, I should get to buy you a beer.
Posted by: Elaine Y | June 09, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Your book sounds fascinating. Congratulations! Glad you've fought to free the beach -- Florida needs that law. I'm pumped about the dedicated rooms for nursing mothers. Our sisters should not have to nurse their babies in filthy toilet stalls.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | June 09, 2015 at 01:36 PM
Ah, drones! We were sailing on the Chesapeake last summer and had just put into a marina in Oxford, MD when a drone went overhead. Fortunately, I was fully-clothed.
Posted by: Marcia Talley | June 09, 2015 at 01:41 PM
I love reading first-time authors. I look forward to your book.
Posted by: Jerry Ann Berry | June 10, 2015 at 09:17 PM