"It seems to promise protection that really isn't there," said Hernandez, a lobbyist for the Consumer Federation of California. "The bill is not without some positive elements, but there are just too many schools that are exempt."

Senate Bill 797, a proposal to ban BPA - bisphenol A - in baby bottles and sippy cups that was supported by labor and environmental groups but opposed by the American Chemistry Council and a coalition of business groups. The bill died by two votes in the Senate.

Five out of nine members of a scientific panel that advises the state on toxic chemicals have been fired in recent weeks, following disputes with the chemical industry and a conservative group that targets environmental laws.

A November ballot initiative to implement a two-thirds majority vote requirement on all new fees imposed by the state took in a big chunk of change from some not-so-small businesses - including big tobacco and alcohol interests.

Putting a white hat on a November ballot measure funded almost exclusively by big oil, tobacco, and alcohol companies is no easy task, but the Yes on Proposition 26 campaign found a way. If approved by voters, the measure would make it much tougher for state or local government to collect industry-specific mitigation fees on business activities that cause harm to the environment or public health.

What will it take to protect the nation's food supply? Apparently the recall of a half billion eggs and 1,500-and-counting cases of salmonella. Add in the scofflaw conduct of a major egg producer and a slow moving federal bureaucracy. The sum total may finally spur action.

Consumer groups that successfully challenge insurance rate increases can recoup their legal fees from the insurers, even when the companies drop their requests or agree to a compromise, a state appeals court has ruled.