California, the U.S. state in the midst of a budget deficit that would make third world nations cringe, didn't stop finding ways to tinker with an already perilous economy. 100 watt incandescent bulbs will no longer be allowed to be sold along with over 720 other laws the legislature found time to pass while being unable to approve a budget.
Politicos estimate the new standard for 100 watt bulbs (they can use no more than 72 watts) will save consumers $35 million - we'll see how great poor people feel about negligible long term electric bill savings versus higher upfront costs for bulbs. And don't think this is touchy-feely California silliness, this new standard was signed by Pres. George Bush in 2007, California just implemented it early.
Other laws California lawmakers deemed essential:
AB 537 makes make food stamps an acceptable form of payment at farmers markets - so now the truly poor can overpay for 'organic' food
SB 1411 makes it a misdemeanor to pretend to be someone else on social media sites
SB 1317 punishes parents with a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail if their K-8 child misses more than 10 percent of the school year without a valid excuse. Because a year without their parents if a kid skips school is better for California than having parents who work.
AB 715 changes the California Green Building Standards code to require new California buildings to be even more energy efficient (California is already number one in the US) and therefore even less friendly for business due to increased cost.
And, of course,
AB 97 finally kicks in, which bans the use of trans-fats in food facilities, meaning junk food will not only be more expensive, it will taste terrible.
