San Leandro
The San Leandro City Council bid farewell to Councilmember Joyce Starosciak after six years of service in the city’s 4th district. Starosciak announced July 2 she was resigning her position early because of “hard feelings” over her failed bid for San Leandro Mayor.

“In order to move on from the daily reminder of this loss, it has become necessary to leave,” said Starosciak in a statement July 2. “While I would desire to finish my term as City Councilmember in December, my family is first priority.”

The council will now begin the process of appointing a replacement to serve out the remainder of the term, which ends at the end of this year.

Oakland
A $153 million AC Transit plan to connect downtown Oakland with the San Leandro BART station was approved by both city councils this week.

AC Transit will run buses along the 9.5-mile corridor every five minutes, with plans to include bus-only lanes along a portion of the route and some loading platforms on street mediums.

Alameda County
The Alameda County Supervisors unanimously passed a new law that would hold large pharmaceutical companies accountable for disposal of expired or unused drugs.

This law, which will have further reviews from the supervisors on July 24, would require the pharmaceutical industry to create funding for ways they can dispose of their products. It would also put the responsibility on the larger companies versus “retailers and pharmacies.”

If the companies do not cooperate they will be faced with a $1,000 per day fee, with “the worst offenders” looking at misdemeanor charges.

California
A law to inform students and teachers about changes to new textbook editions was approved by Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1539 – which was written by California Senate majority leader Ellen Corbett – requires publishers to post online what changes have been made to new editions so consumers can make informed decisions when choosing which textbooks to use for their classes.

“This legislation is one logical way to help lower the cost of textbooks so college students on tight budgets can stay in school,” said Corbett in a press release. “The high cost of college textbooks now forces many students to choose between paying their utility bills or buying the materials they need for class, and that’s not the way it should be.”

United States
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) led 60 other members of congress on Tuesday in a call for the U.S. Olympic Committee to ensure Team USA’s uniforms are made in the United States from now on.

Currently, Team USA’s uniforms were designed by American-based company Ralph Lauren, but manufactured in China.