CSAC Urges Special Election As Soon As Possible
CSAC has sent a letter to the Governor and legislative budget leaders which reaffirms our support of the Governor’s realignment proposal and asks that the special election, needed to ratify the constitutional protections and revenues counties require to take on realigned programs, be held at the earliest possible time.
Excerpts from our letter:
“The concept of realignment – the transfer of responsibilities to counties with an ongoing funding source – is especially timely given today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court directing the state to reduce its prison population. We urge the Legislature to act swiftly on the realignment proposal, including the constitutional amendment, to ensure that counties have the resources we need to provide appropriate services, supervision, and sanctions to offenders returning to our communities. A properly funded and protected realignment of services is the only logical and responsible way to comply with the Court’s order and continue to provide for public safety.
To that end, counties urge a special election to ratify the constitutional protections and revenues at the earliest possible time. Delay would only serve to underscore uncertainties at the local level, with local decision makers faced with preparing for local programming without the assurance of continued funding or protections that mitigate local risk. Dedicated funding and constitutional protections are fundamental to counties’ support of realignment, as they provide the foundational support for the transfer of responsibilities from the state.”
Letter to the Legislative Leadership
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Paul McIntosh is Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties. He can be reached at pmcintosh.at.counties.org. |
I’m very disappointed to see the direction CSAC has taken on the implementation of AB109. Instead of asking for repeal of this rushed law, (that lawmakers intentionally restricted the public and crime victims rights to participate), you’re proposing that we continue to rush ahead as long as the counties get their anticipated piece of the pie.
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that the only way to derail this dangerous law is to NOT ensure funding. Crime Victims are urging the repeal of AB109 with the chance to start over and participate criminal justice reform. In no way should any organization which represents the interest of a public entity be rewarding the bad behavior of the legislature. If the counties want to support the idea of raising taxes that’s one thing. To ask voters to pay more to live more dangerously is quite another. I urge your group to consider demanding that AB109 be repealed or delayed until such a time that each county can prove that they are ready for this type of change.