[Joshua Hoover]
SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, March 8 lawmakers will hold a press conference with Crime Victims United, law enforcement representatives, and small business leaders urging the passage of Assembly Bill 1599 (Kiley/Gallagher/Patterson) to repeal Proposition 47. Following the press conference the bill will be heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee at 9:00 a.m.
WHAT:
Press Conference urging the passage of AB 1599 (Kiley/Gallagher/Patterson) to repeal Prop. 47
WHERE:
California State Capitol, West Steps
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 8 at 8:30 a.m.
WHO:
Nina Salarno Besselman, President, Crime Victims United
Shannon Dicus, Sheriff, San Bernardino County
Chad Bianco, Sheriff, Riverside County
Vern Pierson, District Attorney, El Dorado County
Bonnie Gore, Supervisor, Placer County
Rana Ghadban, CEO, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce
California District Attorneys Association
California Peace Officers Association
California State Sheriffs Association
United Chamber Advocacy Network
Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher
Assemblymember Kevin Kiley
Assemblymember Jim Patterson
Assemblymember Tom Lackey
Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto
Assemblymember Thurston “Smitty” Smith
Assemblymember Marie Waldron
Senator Shannon Grove
Members of the Senate and Assembly
WHY:
When Prop. 47 passed in 2014 voters were told that this so-called “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act” would provide needed criminal justice reforms. In reality, it has been a disaster for public safety, taking away the tools we need to rehabilitate drug offenders and opening the door for rampant retail theft.
Crime victims, law enforcement representatives, small business leaders, and legislators are speaking out in support of AB 1599 to give voters a chance to repeal Prop. 47 and restore accountability to our criminal justice system.
A recent UC Berkeley IGS poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found that 78% of voters believe crime has risen statewide and 65% say it has gone up in their local community. Most importantly, they favor changing Prop. 47 by a 2-to-1 margin.
Following the press conference, the Assembly Public Safety Committee will consider AB 1599, which now has 25 co-authors. The Legislature has the opportunity to correct this failed experiment and put the safety of our communities first.