Coalition Launches Against the Runner Initiative
Date Posted: May 7, 2008OAKLAND – Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would pump billions of dollars into prisons and failed “anti-gang” laws and policies. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner’s Initiative will hold a press conference May 7th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, The California NAACP, and The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The Press Conference coincides with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.
The Criminal Penalties and Laws State Spending Statute, a potential November ballot initiative introduced by State Senator George Runner, would bankrupt the state by directing billions of dollars to fund prisons, probation, and police in the midst of a budget crisis that has caused drastic cuts to education and health care. This potential statewide ballot proposal, also known as the “Runner Initiative” or “Safe Neighborhoods Act,” is a far reaching-measure that stiffens criminal penalties and introduces laws reminiscent of failed polices of the past that did not increase public safety, but instead substantially increased California’s prison population and wasted California tax dollars…
LINK - IndyBay.org
Calipatria State Prison Correctional Officer Alma Zavala never saw her killer coming.
