When fire breaks out, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is often quick to declare a state of emergency.

BBC: California faces up to year-round forest fires

They would say three people attended when two did so the money was split two ways instead of three and often didn't declare the money collected or put it through the books.

BBC: Bailiffs: Your stories

The new bill will make it harder for individuals to declare Chapter 7, the most common form of bankruptcy, which allows debtors to walk away from their debts, often while shielding exempt assets like cars and homes.

ECONOMIST: Morally bankrupt? | The