Government Watch

• The state Assembly approved Assembly Bill 1207, authored by Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in the voluntary pledge that candidates may sign prior to entering a political campaign. Specifically, AB 1207 prohibits the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice of sexual orientation or gender identity by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for veto or signature. The governor vetoed the identical Assembly Bill 866 last year.

City government

• The city of San Carlos is now registering residents for its 8th Annual Citywide Garage Sale on Sept. 30. San Carlos residents may hold a garage or yard sale at their residence and have it advertised and promoted free by the city. Participants can keep the proceeds or donate a portion to the adopted town of Pass Christian, Miss. which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Registration is available at (650) 802-4129 or through the city’s Web site.

• The city of San Carlos opens bids Tuesday at 10 a.m. for a flood control project on the 1500 block of Laurel Street. Engineers estimate the project cost at $128,650. The lowest bidder will be announced and approved at a future City Council meeting after the formal bid process closes.

• The Burlingame City Council will look at campaign financing restrictions after the November election. At a study session the council will discuss voluntary donation limits as well as how to declare loans.

In October the council will discuss how to approach new plans for Safeway. Mayor Cathy Baylock wanted to invite Safeway to start over with a clean slate. She was concerned, however, that a new plan would spark more long-term discussions without a solution.

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