Bill Seeks to Limit Use of Work Credits by Inmates

People convicted of violent crimes would be prohibited from using work-time credits to cut their prison sentences in half under a bill unanimously approved by a key Assembly committee.

A 5-0 vote sent the legislation (AB 113) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

The measure would reduce the amount of work-time credits that can be earned by a prison inmate convicted of violent crimes, such as murder, rape and child molestation, to 15% rather than the 50% now permitted.

“Too many innocent people will be victims of someone who still deserves to be locked away,” Katz said. “Violent criminals and sexual predators should serve their sentences instead of being rewarded for behaving while in prison.”

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Smoking Ban: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 58-9 vote a bill (AB 291) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) prohibiting smoking in state-owned buildings as well as in state offices within state-leased buildings. This places into state law an executive order issued by Gov. Pete Wilson.

* More Smoking Bans: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 54-11 vote a resolution (ACR 27) by Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) prohibiting smoking in all areas of the Capitol controlled by the Legislature, including the floors of both houses and committee hearing rooms.

* School Libraries: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 58-9 vote a bill (AB 323) by Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin (D-Fremont) setting up a fund to allocate money collected from state income tax refund check-offs to school districts for purchase of library materials.

* Compton Schools: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 73-0 vote a bill (AB 657) by Assemblyman Willard H. Murray Jr. (D-Paramount) granting a $10.5-million emergency loan to the Compton Unified School District, which is in financial trouble.

Committee Action

* Alcoholic Beverages: The Governmental Organization Committee approved a constitutional amendment (ACA 6) by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) allowing law enforcement officers to use decoys under 21 years of age to catch liquor store employees who sell alcoholic beverages to minors. A 12-0 vote sent the constitutional amendment to the Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee.

* Legislative Salaries: The Rules Committee rejected a resolution (ACR 29) by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) urging the California Citizens Compensation Commission to reduce state legislative salaries by the same percentage as any pay cut that might be imposed on other state employees.

* Budget: The Rules Committee also rejected a constitutional amendment (ACA 22) by Assemblyman Ted Weggeland (R-Riverside) requiring the governor and members of the Legislature to forfeit their paychecks and expense money if the state budget is not adopted on time. The Constitution requires legislative approval of the budget by June 15 of each year, but there is no penalty for being late.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Salary Cuts: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 22-15 vote a bill (SB 82) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to cut the salaries of 63 political appointees to 11 state boards and commissions by an average of 43% to a maximum of $52,500, the same pay that rank-and-file state legislators receive.

Committee Action

* Ride Sharing: The Governmental Efficiency Committee approved a bill (SB 883) by Sen. Tim Leslie (R-Carnelian Bay) exempting employers with fewer than 100 workers from a requirement to subsidize employee ride-sharing programs designed to help meet federal and state air quality standards. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.

Capital Fact

* The Latin motto inscribed above the Senate rostrum translates as: “It is the duty of the Senate to guard the liberty of the commonwealth.”