New California Laws

The list of new state laws on Jan. 1 brought good news and bad news. The good news was that there were fewer new laws than in the five previous years. The bad news was that there were so many new laws. We have too many laws. Some of these laws seem like they are probably covered by existing laws. Some are of the theme “intent to commit” some crime. This should bother everyone. Instead of the line being drawn where someone commits a crime, the courts are being asked to become mind readers and condemn someone for intending to commit a crime. This is scary.

Perhaps the real problem is that California no longer needs all of its legislators plus their staff to think up new laws. This is one area that a cutback could save us lots of money without any impact.

PAUL D. BLUMSTEIN

Rancho Palos Verdes