California's Woes

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Judges indicate they may order prison population reduced by 58,000

Federal panel issues tentative ruling in lawsuit brought by inmates, who say overcrowding in state prisons violates their right to adequate healthcare. A massive inmate release is not likely.By Michael Rothfeld

5:08 PM PST, February 9, 2009 Reporting from Sacramento -- A panel of three federal judges, ruling that overcrowding in state prisons has deprived inmates of their right to adequate healthcare, today indicated they would order the state to reduce the population in those lockups by as many as 58,000 people.

The judges issued the tentative ruling after a trial in two long-running cases brought by inmates to protest the state of medical and mental healthcare in the prisons.

Although the order is not final, U.S. District Court Judges Thelton Henderson and Lawrence Karlton and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt effectively told the state that it had lost the case and would have to make dramatic changes in its prisons unless it could reach a settlement with inmates' lawyers.

If the state is ordered to reduce the population, it would likely be able to do so over several years by limiting new admissions and other measures, so that it would not have to release large numbers of prisoners at once.

State prisons right now operate at about double their designed capacity, and the judges found that with inmates crammed into institutions, they could not receive the care to which they are entitled.

"There is . . . uncontroverted evidence that, because of overcrowding, there are not enough clinical facilities or resources to accommodate inmates with medical or mental health needs at the level of care they require," the judges wrote.

The state's 33 prisons hold 159,000 inmates, the vast majority of the 170,000 in the correctional system. The rest are in out-of-state prisons and other facilities.

The judges said they believe the prisons can safely operate at between 101,000 and 122,000, a potential reduction of 37,000 to 58,000 inmates

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pr...,0,815133.story

Edited February 10, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Schwarzenegger sues to furlough more Calif workers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sued the state's Democratic controller Monday, trying to force furloughs for 15,000 more government workers to address California's $42 billion deficit.

The Republican governor already ordered more than 200,000 state government workers to take two days off each month without pay and projected it would save $1.3 billion through June 2010. The first furlough day was last Friday.

But the court ruling that upheld Schwarzenegger's authority to order the furloughs did not address employees of state constitutional officers or members of a tax panel, the Board of Equalization.

The lawsuit filed Monday seeks an injunction that would force Controller John Chiang to reduce the hours of those employees. Chiang's office cuts the checks to state workers.

Furloughing the 15,000 employees in the constitutional offices and the tax board will save $93.2 million, according the governor's finance department.

In addition to the governor and controller, California's constitutional officers include the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction. The seven other officers have said they will not comply with Schwarzenegger's furlough order.

Monday's lawsuit marks the second time in six months that the Republican governor and Chiang, a Democrat, have clashed over budget-related issues. During last summer's stalemate, Chiang challenged the governor's order to roll back salaries for thousands of state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour.

That issue remains before the courts.

The controller's office declined comment on Schwarzenegger's latest legal challenge because it had not received a copy of the complaint, but it maintains the previous court ruling does not apply to employees of constitutional officers.

"There was no court order requiring the controller to cut pay," said Garin Casaleggio, a spokesman for Chiang.

Schwarzenegger's attorneys argued the judge's ruling applied to all state employees represented by labor organizations. The lawsuit noted that about 11,000 employees who report to constitutional officers and the Board of Equalization are unionized. The other 4,000 would be managers and others not covered by a bargaining group.

The Professional Engineers in California Government and California Association of Professional Scientists had challenged Schwarzenegger's executive order after he signed it in December. Other labor groups representing attorneys, Department of Motor Vehicle workers, prison guards and firefighters subsequently filed separate claims.

Labor leaders said they supported Chiang's decision not to furlough the workers.

"We filed our suit based on the firm belief that none of the furloughs were constitutional," said Bruce Blanning, executive director of the engineers union.

Last Friday marked the first furlough in state history, shutting Department of Motor Vehicle offices and other state agencies.

Offices deemed critical to public safety and those that generate revenue, such as state parks, remained opened. Employment centers also stayed open to handle California's swelling ranks of unemployed.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/10/...a-Furloughs.php

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Counties Threaten Tax Revolt Against California Budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California counties could throw another wrinkle into the state's cash crisis as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders try to agree on a way to erase a $42 billion budget deficit.

Several counties are considering some form of tax revolt because the state has started to withhold payments to counties to conserve cash. Generally, the state pays counties to run social service programs as well as other government services.

Without being paid, Riverside County is considering suing the state while Colusa County has decided to impose a 30-day delay on sending tax revenues to the state. Los Angeles County is considering similar delays.

California had been projected to run out of cash on Feb. 27 until the state controller imposed a 30-day delay in payments to counties. The delay also affects income tax refunds and payments to state vendors and college tuition assistance programs.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/18640421/detail.html

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

is cali still so great?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

is cali still so great?

It's the Cheese!

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

is cali still so great?

It's the Cheese!

according to the commercials here on tv, it's the cows.

[NickD 202]

For us law abiding citizens or least those of us that haven't been caught yet, we have to pay our own way and get taxed to death in the process. Hear that each prisoner in our state is costing us somewhere around $40,000 per year, and prisoners can even get a four year degree for free while serving their terms. We are paying dearly for our kids for that same privilege.

Just seems like prisoners should pay their own way too, is this unreasonable?

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

For us law abiding citizens or least those of us that haven't been caught yet, we have to pay our own way and get taxed to death in the process. Hear that each prisoner in our state is costing us somewhere around $40,000 per year, and prisoners can even get a four year degree for free while serving their terms. We are paying dearly for our kids for that same privilege.

Just seems like prisoners should pay their own way too, is this unreasonable?

that would make sense, but i'm sure some think it's owed to them due to their being a victim of society.

[almaty 19]

i have seen in allot of states, letting criminals out earlier than usual..it is common

[Dr. Obvious 49]

For us law abiding citizens or least those of us that haven't been caught yet, we have to pay our own way and get taxed to death in the process. Hear that each prisoner in our state is costing us somewhere around $40,000 per year, and prisoners can even get a four year degree for free while serving their terms. We are paying dearly for our kids for that same privilege.

Just seems like prisoners should pay their own way too, is this unreasonable?

I'd like to see the number of convicted rapists, armed robbers, etc, actually do anything with their degree after they get it and are released. I think seeing that serious criminal charge would throw the application right in the circular file. As far as I understand it, the only industry that truly welcomes serious ex-cons with open arms where you can make any money (as managers) is the fast food industry. My brother worked at a Burger King all through high school and the stories he brought home of his fellow co-workers...

[dalegg 143]

You don't have to release all of them into society. Anyone who has been convicted of murder just gets a bullet in the head. Send their family the bill for the bullet and open up those rooms for the rapists and thiefs. Problem solved.

[almaty 19]

You don't have to release all of them into society. Anyone who has been convicted of murder just gets a bullet in the head. Send their family the bill for the bullet and open up those rooms for the rapists and thiefs. Problem solved.

interesting..sounds like you are in favor of China penal and criminal justice system ..what about slave labor?

[dalegg 143]

You don't have to release all of them into society. Anyone who has been convicted of murder just gets a bullet in the head. Send their family the bill for the bullet and open up those rooms for the rapists and thiefs. Problem solved.

interesting..sounds like you are in favor of China penal and criminal justice system ..what about slave labor?

It might work, but some goofball went and abolished slavery.