Press Release
Democrats Continue To Waste Taxpayer Time And Money
Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007
"At a time when our state is facing an educational crisis, a prison crisis, a structural deficit, and when our students have seen their college fees increased by over 90% in the past six years; the announcement by the California Democrat leadership to introduce legislation for a non-binding military measure is just another example of why our state needs redistricting reform and term limits.
"The problems facing California are numerous, require a great deal of time and effort to overcome, and should command the attention of Senator Don Perata and his Democrat colleagues. Our state lawmakers lack the expertise in the nuances of foreign policy and the capacity to hold intellectually honest hearings on military strategy in the Middle East.
"California Democrats should start focusing on the job they were elected to do. If Senator Perata wants to focus on military policy, maybe he should run for President."
Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party
November 7, 2006 Local Measure Costs City of Berkeley $10,000
"With overwhelming support from Berkeley residents, the Berkeley City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night to be the first jurisdiction in the United States to let the public vote for the president's impeachment. The measure will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, at a cost of about $10,000." (Carolyn Jones, "Bush Impeachment Resolution On Ballot," San Francisco Chronicle, 6/29/06)
State Senator Announces Non-Binding Measure On US Military Policy
"Pro Tem Don Perata announces his legislation to place an advisory measure on the February 5 primary ballot urging Pres. Bush to begin "an immediate withdrawal of all US armed forces in Iraq." (Office of Senator Pro Tem Don Perata, Capitol Morning Report, 4/5/07)
Prison Crisis
32 Of 58 California Counties "Released Inmates Before They Had Completed Their Jail Sentences"
"Last year, 32 of California's 58 counties -- including Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside -- released inmates before they had completed their jail sentences. Los Angeles County, with the largest jail system in the nation, has led the way. In the 3 1/2 years before Baca closed jails, about 10,000 inmates were let out prematurely. In the 3 1/2 years that followed, almost 150,000 were released three or more days early." (Jack Leonard, Megan Garvey, and Doug Smith, "Release Inmates Early Has A Costly Human Total," Los Angeles Times, 5/14/06)
- 200,000 Inmates Release Early - Vast Majority Only Served No More Than 10% of Time
"Nearly 200,000 inmates have been let go early since mid-2002 -- the vast majority walking out after serving no more than 10% of the time ordered by a judge. By year's end, officials said, they expect that all inmates sentenced to county jail will serve at least 25% of their sentences. It's a policy shift that Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley both support." (Megan Garvey and Jack Leonard, "Early Release Rules To Be Revised," Los Angeles Times, 11/9/06)
Students Face 90% Tuition Increase Since 2001
"Regents acknowledged this is probably not the end of annual increases for UC students. Since the 2001-02 school year, undergraduate tuition has climbed 92 percent at UC's campuses and 94 percent at CSU's schools." (Tanya Schevitz and Jim Doyle, "UC, CSU Reach Again For Students' Wallets," San Francisco Chronicle, 3/15/07)
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