Budget Deal Part II: Corrections Cuts Will Be Ugly
Budget Deal Part II: Corrections Cuts Will Be Ugly
On July 28, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the budget agreement that addressed California’s estimated $26 billion deficit. Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders postponed voting on the specific $1.2 billion cuts to Corrections in order to work on a plan that would not result in the early release of prisoners. Today, after legislative Democrats reached an agreement with Governor Schwarzenegger, the Legislature will be voting on a Democrat plan to reduce the Department of Corrections budget.
The plan, which is expected to garner only Democrat support, appears to be consistent with the prison reform framework outlined by Governor Schwarzenegger. The prison reform framework would save an estimated $1.2 billion by adopting the following proposals:
- Changing four misdemeanor/felonies offenses to strictly misdemeanors:
- Writing bad checks
- Petty theft crimes
- Receiving stolen property
- Grand theft crimes raised to $2,500 and a $2,500 vehicle theft threshold;
- Creating alternative custody options for lower-risk offenders. These options include house arrest with GPS monitoring. Eligible inmates include the following:
- Inmates with 12 months or less remaining on their prison term
- Elderly inmates
- Medically infirm inmates;
- Commuting of prison terms for deportable criminal aliens;
- Elimination of funding for non-court-ordered inmate and parole programs;
- Elimination of the Special Repairs Budget;
- Shifting AB 900 construction funds to existing capitol building projects; and
- Reductions to the contract medical budget.
Legislative Democrats’ proposal, ABX3 14, incorporate all of the governor’s framework remedies, including the early release proposals that almost derailed the July budget deal. The measure also includes two additional controversial components: the creation of a sentencing commission, and community corrections provisions. Legislative Republicans oppose these provisions and concerns have been raised by California’s law enforcement agencies.
If the measure is enacted, it will save the state budget $924.5 million, including the $400 million savings approved in the February budget. With approximately $3 million in savings accomplished through governor and administrative actions, the state will meet their $1.2 billion budget reduction target.
