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California Violent Gaming Bills Fail To Advance
Thanks to Reuters/Yahoo for its article discussing the failure to progress of two California violent videogame bills, since they "failed to clear a committee of California's state Assembly, killing them for 2004 unless the committee changes its mind." However, "One bill, which would expand the definition of 'harmful matter to children' to include certain types of violent games, received a favorable 5-1 vote, while the second, regulating how some games are displayed in stores, got a 3-1 vote" - but "both needed 7 votes in favor to be approved." Bill sponsor Leland Yee has released a statement claiming: "I am deeply disturbed that money ruled the day here in Sacramento... Rather than protecting our children and giving our parents a tool to help raise healthy kids, the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry was allowed to shoot down necessary legislation."
As one who is familiar with the California state government committee process, I can say that this is not unusual.
It's not that the legislators are out on the golf course, but rather that on a "committee day," every committee meets. Not only are legislators members of more than one committee (which might meet concurrantly), but they also have to present the bills they are sponsoring to the other committees. In addition, there are the lobbyists, constituents, and other legislators all trying to meet with them to try and convince them in private to vote a certain way.
In short, it is utter chaos, and a miricle that anything gets done at all.