Early-release inmate already back in jail
New State policy is a poke in the eye to victims, Californians and law enforcement
In Sacramento this week an inmate released under the state’s new early release law aimed at saving the state money, was rearrested in under 24 hours for new crimes. Kevin Eugene Peterson was picked up only one day after being released for the attempted rape of a counselor at a local charity that helps the homeless in the downtown Sacramento area.
It is a sad commentary when the criminals make your case for you but that is what has happened. To release a criminal early to save the state money is one of the worst policies to ever come out of Sacramento. To force localities to do it, when their budgets are stretched and they are losing law enforcement officers is criminal.
This grand social experiment has created another victim and not saved the tax payers a nickel. In fact, it will actually cost us more because we have to once again put this criminal through the system. My heart goes out to his victim.
This ill-advised program should be put on hold immediately before we see more state sanctioned victims.
I was a vocal opponent of this program last summer and continue to fight against ill-conceived measures that put saving money ahead of public safety.
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State wants to stick its nose in your parking spot
Another “social engineering project” by my liberal colleagues has gotten quite a bit of attention this week. Senate Bill 518 (Lowenthal) offers financial incentives to local governments that would essentially eliminate free parking. I believe this measure is unworkable, ill-timed and an intrusion on local government.
First off, parking is completely a local issue and should remain as such. The state cannot reasonably adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to parking and has no business doing so. What plays well in urban areas like the San Francisco bay area – which has an extensive public transportation system – will not work in areas of Orange County or the Central Valley.
Parking is an important issue to local businesses. We have all seen the bags over parking meters during the holidays – free parking encourages consumers and the lack of it will push them away from struggling downtown areas. This is something our dwindling job market cannot afford.
Speaking of affording – where is California supposed to get the incentive money when we are furloughing workers, issuing IOUs to vendors and letting criminals out of prison to save a buck? This is the wrong time and the wrong measure for California.
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Blue Alert Legislation Introduced
The Peace Officer’s Memorial at the State Capitol was the backdrop today for a press conference announcing the introduction of Senate Bill 839, known as “Blue Alert”. The Blue Alert would use the existing statewide Amber Alert notification system when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously wounded, or assaulted with a firearm and the suspect has fled the scene of the offense.
As reported before in the Harman Report, I am a proud co-author of this important measure and am pleased to have been asked to speak at today’s press conference.
Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley); Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness, Bill Bean, a father whose son was shot in the line of duty; representatives from the California Broadcasters' Association and Police Officers' Research Association of California also participated in the press conference. I will keep you informed as this measure makes its way through the legislature .
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Senate Fellowship Reminder
Applications for 2010-2011 Senate Fellowship are due on February 24, 2010
Senate Brochures and applications are available for the 2010-2011 California Senate Fellows program. The program, which is jointly sponsored by the state Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University, enables 18 college graduates to become Senate staff members for 11 months beginning in October 2010.
My office has been fortunate to have many Senate Fellows over the years. My Chief of Staff, Tiffany Conklin, started her career in the Capitol many years ago as a Senate Fellow. I feel very strongly that young people, just finishing college should have every opportunity to learn first hand how the legislative process works. Our office currently has a Senate Fellow, Ben Cassady, that was recently accepted at Harvard, Boalt, New York University, Cornell and UCLA law schools – hardly a shabby list of choices. He has been an amazing addition to our staff as was our Senate Fellow last year, Megan Stineman who is now our legislative aide.
Senate Fellows Ben Cassady and Megan Stineman“I am from an agricultural part of the state so I was particularly interested in watching the landmark water measures that were passed last year. I felt that I contributed to the office, was able to do substantive work and make life long connections with others seeking to effect change in California,” Megan Stineman, Senate Fellow 2008-2009.
“My major responsibility thus far has been assisting with the development of the Senator’s legislative package. Additionally, I am helping to plan a big press conference next week on a couple of the bills I have been working on. This program exceeds my expectations. It is a great office,” Ben Cassady, Senate Fellow 2009-2010.
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $1972 plus health and dental benefits. They also earn units of graduate credit from the Sacramento State Government Department.
After a five-week orientation, Fellows are assigned to the personal of committee staff of a Senator and serve as members of the professional cadre of legislative aides and committee consultants. Responsibilities include researching issues and helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, meeting with numerous individuals and groups, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks.
The program is open to anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate from a university or four-year college by September 1, 2010. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply. No previous political or legislative experience is required; however, applicants should have a strong interest in public policy and politics.
Fellows attend weekly graduate seminars in the Capitol and are assigned written projects and oral presentations as part of the academic component.
Prospective applicants can obtain brochures and information for the California Senate Fellows program online at www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/fellows/_home or www.csus.edu/calst/senate (These are the only sources for the 2010-2011 applications.)
The filing deadline for applications is February 24, 2010.
To receive a printed copy of the brochure, please contact the Center at (916) 278-6906 or through e-mail (calstudies@csus.edu).
For additional information, please contact the program director, David Pacheco at (916) 278-5408, (916) 651-4160 or david.pacheco@sen.ca.gov.
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