More Sacramento silliness

These are the days that bring a spring to the step of the Nevada Development Authority's out-of-state business recruiters. Already armed with clever campaigns that emphasize Nevada's lack of inventory, corporate income and personal income taxes, these salesmen get all-new material for their pitch at the end of every summer, delivered in a gift basket with a bright bow, courtesy of the California Legislature.

Each year, the anti-industry Democrats who control both houses in Sacramento set new standards for hostility toward personal freedom, business and economic growth. This week, lawmakers wrapped up another regular session with more assaults on commerce, taxpayers and individual choice.

California businesses fed up with costly regulation already represent low-hanging fruit for the folks at the Nevada Development Authority, who've plucked plenty of companies from our neighbor to the west. But these legislators seemingly have redoubled their efforts to chase away industry and play nanny to their constituents.

Here's an offensive sampling of bills sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this year:

-- Lawmakers passed an expansion of state health care programs for lower-income families, giving taxpayer-paid medical coverage to kids in households that earn three times the federal poverty level and repealing citizenship as a requirement for benefits. Socialized medicine for illegals -- only in California.

-- To help pay for this largess, and to make insurance available to residents who choose to forgo coverage, legislators imposed a 7.5 percent payroll tax on companies that don't offer health benefits to their employees. It's hard to imagine a harder kick to the groin of small business.

-- They passed a tax on gas bills to subsidize the purchase of solar water heaters. Next year's mandate: cold showers for all!

-- California juveniles can't wait for their first chance to vote. This year, lawmakers mandated that kids traveling in cars must remain in child safety seats until they're 8 years old or nearly 5 feet tall. Teen drivers can't talk on their cell phones while behind the wheel anymore, even with a hands-free headset. Children under 14 can't use tanning businesses, and children between 14 and 18 must obtain parental consent to bronze themselves indoors. Will sunburn victims soon face jail time?

-- Lawmakers want California to join the growing list of states that have criminalized smoking in cars when children are passengers. Does it make any sense for state governments to ban smoking everywhere when they're so dependent on ever-increasing cigarette taxes?

-- Chain restaurants must now post fat, carbohydrate and sodium content for their meals. The bill authorizes state menu cops to fine noncompliant businesses $500.

Maybe one day Californians will wake up and elect a more centrist legislative branch. Until that day comes, it's mighty neighborly of their representatives to show industry the door -- and the road to Nevada.