IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE STATE’S BUDGET DEFICIT (AND EASE PRISON CROWDING), GOVERNOR BROWN HAS SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW THAT WILL SHIFT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANY PRISONERS FROM STATE GOVERNMENT, TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE CALIFORNIA STATE SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT WITHOUT THE PROPER FUNDING, THIS SHIFT COULD BECOME A PUBLIC SAFETY DISASTER.
THE GOVERNOR’S PLAN IS TO USE 5.9 BILLION DOLLARS OF VEHICLE AND SALES TAX REVENUE TO FUND THAT REALIGNMENT, BUT SO FAR HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PERSUADE SOME LEGISLATORS TO APPROVE A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT WOULD ALLOW VOTERS TO EXTEND TEMPORARY TAXES THAT WOULD GUARANTEE MONEY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AB-109 IS KNOWN AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ALIGNMENT BILL.
