Brown Signs Bill To Hand Over Inmates To Local Governments
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that will shift responsibility for thousands of criminals to local governments, acting over the objections of some law enforcement officials who have said there is no money for them to comply.
Brown sought the measure to help cut the state's nearly $27 billion deficit, ease prison crowding and promote rehabilitation programs.
But he has been unable to persuade Republicans to approve a special election where voters could extend temporary taxes that are due to expire this year. Brown's plan calls for $5.9 billion of the vehicle and sales taxes to fund the realignment, with guaranteed money to local governments.
He signed the measure, AB109, on Monday even though the California State Sheriffs' Association said that without funding, the shift could be a public safety disaster.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
