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The Press-Enterprise said this about the budget and how it affects prisoners, "It also contains $1.2 billion in prison cuts. But the legislation dodges the politically touchy issue of inmate releases by not spelling out where those savings would be achieved." Now we know why it was not reported. The Governor and the negotiators approved 27,000 prisoners to be released early. This is after the Governor has just about emptied the juvenile prisons and already gave early release to thousands of criminals--possibly 16,000--already. Now, he will release 27,000 more.
Would you vote for a budget that makes your streets less safe, knowingly? Close to 70% of released prisoners commit more crimes--in other words, this budget includes 18,900 MORE crimes, 18900 more victims. Wonder what the cost of those crimes will be?
Now it can be told: Republican Assembly Leader Sam Blakeslee has called this a DOUBLE CROSS And he says this could imperil the whole budget deal:
Thanks to Capitol Weekly, here is the Blakeslee email:
From: (Sam Blakeslee)
Date: July 21, 2009 3:21:24 PM PDT
To: (Assembly Republican Caucus)
Subject: Budget Double-Cross?
Throughout budget negotiations we insisted that Republican votes would never be provided for a budget deal that included early release of prisoners.
Our caucus and staff developed a cut strategy for corrections that provided the necessary savings to close the deficit without risking public safety.
We had a clear understanding with the democrats that NO corrections bill would be a part of the budget and that we would have an honest chance to contest the policy issues in the light of day in August.
Just two hours ago I learned from staff that Senate democrats are concocting a radioactive corrections bill that included the worst of the worst _ sentencing commission and release of 27,000 prisoners, etc
When I spoke with Dennis he was as surprised and upset as I was regarding what appears to be a serious breach of the agreement in the Big 5.
I have called and personally told both Karen and Darrell that their will be no republican votes for any portion of the budget if they allow such a bill to be part of the package.
I will keep you posted.
Sam
The Democrats lied. What else in the budget did they lie about? The public has the right to see the complete budget bill before a vote is taken. This is why the Democrats are refusing to hold hearings on the budget--it is a fraud and they want it to be law before we know the truth.
Voter Revolt anyone?
More...
Would you vote for a budget that makes your streets less safe, knowingly? Close to 70% of released prisoners commit more crimes--in other words, this budget includes 18,900 MORE crimes, 18900 more victims. Wonder what the cost of those crimes will be?
Now it can be told: Republican Assembly Leader Sam Blakeslee has called this a DOUBLE CROSS And he says this could imperil the whole budget deal:
Thanks to Capitol Weekly, here is the Blakeslee email:
From: (Sam Blakeslee)
Date: July 21, 2009 3:21:24 PM PDT
To: (Assembly Republican Caucus)
Subject: Budget Double-Cross?
Throughout budget negotiations we insisted that Republican votes would never be provided for a budget deal that included early release of prisoners.
Our caucus and staff developed a cut strategy for corrections that provided the necessary savings to close the deficit without risking public safety.
We had a clear understanding with the democrats that NO corrections bill would be a part of the budget and that we would have an honest chance to contest the policy issues in the light of day in August.
Just two hours ago I learned from staff that Senate democrats are concocting a radioactive corrections bill that included the worst of the worst _ sentencing commission and release of 27,000 prisoners, etc
When I spoke with Dennis he was as surprised and upset as I was regarding what appears to be a serious breach of the agreement in the Big 5.
I have called and personally told both Karen and Darrell that their will be no republican votes for any portion of the budget if they allow such a bill to be part of the package.
I will keep you posted.
Sam
The Democrats lied. What else in the budget did they lie about? The public has the right to see the complete budget bill before a vote is taken. This is why the Democrats are refusing to hold hearings on the budget--it is a fraud and they want it to be law before we know the truth.
Voter Revolt anyone?
More...