Capitol Updates

For far too long, Sacramento Democrats have failed to take action to relieve our state's prison overcrowding problems; today, California stands on the verge of a prison crisis.

Prison facilities across the state are bursting at the seams.  A federal receiver has been appointed to take charge over prison healthcare spending and is now directing millions of your tax dollars without accountability to lawmakers or taxpayers.  Because Democrats in the State Legislature have failed to do their job, we now face the very real prospect of a federal judge ordering the release of thousands of criminals into our communities.

Republicans remain unified in seeking responsible reforms.  Thanks to the strong leadership of Assembly and Senate Republicans, Californians know that the stakes in the debate over prison reform couldn't be higher this year.  Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines and Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman have stood firm in demanding that lawmakers act without delay to pass the responsible reforms needed to solve our prison overcrowding problems.

Assembly and Senate Republicans are fighting diligently to:

• Build more prison beds and the additional prison capacity California needs to keep dangerous criminals locked up behind bars where they belong;

• Protect tough-on-crime public safety laws like "Three Strikes" and "10-20-Life," which have made a real difference in reducing the violent crime rate over the past decade; and

• Reject a misguided proposal to create a sentencing commission that will weaken penalties and lead to the early release of thousands of so-called nonviolent offenders, those who have committed serious crimes like burglary and identity theft.

Grassroots mobilization is needed to urge Democrats to take swift action.  While progress is being made, our Republican leaders in Sacramento need your help to urge lawmakers to do the right thing and pass urgently needed prison reforms.  I ask each of you to take a moment and write or call your representatives in Sacramento, send a letter to the editor to your local newspaper, and call into your local radio talk show to pressure lawmakers to take swift action on prison reform to keep Californians safe.  Remember: no sentencing commission, no early release, and more cells to house prisoners.

By keeping up the heat on Assembly and Senate Democrats with your calls, letters and e-mails, we can support Assembly and Senate Republicans as they work hard to ensure that no Californian will ever have to live in fear in their own homes.

You can also address your letters and comments to the Democrat leadership:

Senate Pro-Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland)
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-4009

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0046
(916) 319-2046