Bill Killer

Every year the California Chamber of Commerce puts out a list of "job-killer" bills _ pieces of legislation the influential group deems as most harmful to business interests.

This year's list of 25 bills includes measures to promote alternative fuel, reform the health care system and regulate the sale and inspection of leafy green vegetables.

Or, in the Chamber's words: "inteferes with the development of a competitive alternative fuels market and threatens job creation," "imposes a tax on small employers who can't afford to provide health care coverage," and "threatens agricultural productivity and increases the costs of leafy green vegetables."

Not surprisingly, it appears all of the job killers were authored by Democrats. But somewhat surprising -- just based on sheer mathematical and political probability -- is that of the 25 bills, only 4 were authored by Los Angeles-area lawmakers.

Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the chamber has had a formidable record in shooting down job killers. Last year, the group claimed a 95 percent success rate. Of 40 bills listed as job killers in 2006, only two were signed into law; nine were vetoed and the rest failed to make it through the Legislature.

“These bills are the worst of the worst by singling California out and making the state a less desirable place to do business,” CalChamber CEO Allan Zaremberg said in a written statement.

“Since Arnold Schwarzenegger has been governor the state has seen a steady increase in new jobs -- 850,000 to be exact -- and billions of dollars in additional tax revenues. These ‘job killers’ would reverse this trend by imposing new mandates and taxes that will stifle investment and job growth and decrease revenue to the state’s coffers'."