Unbeknownst to probation departments, the state begins its early release of some low-level, nonviolent prisoners.
Paige St. John reports for The L.A. Times: “Prison workers, inmates' lawyers and county probation officials said the releases began two weeks ago. Since then, San Bernardino County probation officers said, the number of felons arriving from prison has increased more than two dozen a week, or 30%.”
“More than 17,000 prisoners overall are potentially eligible for reduced sentences, according to the administration's analysis.”
In the years under prison realignment probation departments have taken on more responsibilities. But an Assembly committee rejected an effort to roll back some of those responsibilities to state parole departments.
Brad Branan reports in the Sacramento Bee: “Both Muratsuchi and Pérez cited a report last year by Stanford Law School professor Joan Petersilia, who found that “probation officers, already facing increasing caseloads, are ill equipped to manage such serious and sophisticated caseloads.” The report recommends changes such as those proposed Tuesday.”
“But the Assembly Public Safety Committee rejected both bills. Committee chair Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, said realignment will need some changes, but proposals such as the one by Pérez go too far because moving supervision into communities is a fundamental premise of the 2011 law.”
Another bill authored by Torrance Democrat Asm. Al Muratsuchi was signed yesterday by the governor, which offers a property tax break for private space companies.
David Siders reports for the Sacramento Bee: “Brown signed the bill without comment, but his interest in space goes back decades to when, as governor before from 1975 to 1983, he proposed a $5.8 million communications satellite system. He was mocked for the idea, while proponents said he was ahead of his time.”
"I actually wanted to have a state satellite, " Brown said in 2012. "Couldn't pull it off."
California’s Republican gubernatorial candidates will take part in debate in the coming weeks – no word yet if Brown will drop in.
Seema Mehta reports for the L.A. Times: “Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, the front-runner after Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, and first-time candidate Neel Kashkari will meet at 5 p.m. May 15 at the Ayres Hotel in Anaheim, according to the radio station KFI-AM (640). John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, hosts of the "John and Ken" show, will moderate.”
Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to easily assume reelection, but passing a new rainy day fund is not proving so easy.
Jennifer Medina reports in The New York Times: “While Republicans in both houses have mostly been left out of negotiations for the last decade, Mr. Brown will need to sway at least two Republicans in the State Senate — and likely more, since Democrats there appear to be the most reluctant.”
“There’s no question he’s been the most fiscal conservative guy at the table,” said Bob Huff, the Senate’s Republican leader. “I would say the real question is, How far can he stretch his own party? We’re not interested in signing off on anything that doesn’t have real teeth.”
Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow is still in jail but was able to join a panel Friday for a UC Berkeley journalism symposium.
Phillip Matier and Andrew Ro reports in S.F. Gate: “"We try to do more than just have reporters talking," Bergman said of his phone-in guest, who answered a few questions for attendees Friday night.”
“No, he didn't discuss his criminal case.”
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is in the national media spootlight for his handling of the Donald Sterling controversy.
Ryan Lillis reports in the Sacramento Bee: “Johnson’s profile has grown steadily since he took office in 2008. His role leading Sacramento’s successful effort to block the Kings’ move to Seattle last year earned him national attention in the sports media. And earlier this month, Johnson was installed as the head of the influential U.S. Conference of Mayors – the first time in the organization’s history that a Sacramento mayor has held the leadership post.”
Sterling’s girlfriend V. Stiviano, who taped his repugnant comments, showed up at the L.A. County District Attorney’s office yesterday, and has apparently also joined Daft Punk.
TMZ reports: “Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she didn't go there over a case, but to "visit friends." We're told she worked at the D.A.'s office as an intern a few years back and she just wanted to see some old pals ... yes, it's bizarre.”
“And if she's just visiting ... why is she carrying a briefcase?
