Panel Won’t Fund Fight on Prison-Care Lawsuit
A legislative committee refused Wednesday to approve nearly $12 million sought by Gov. Gray Davis to fight a class-action lawsuit that accuses the state of denying prison inmates proper medical care.
Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer has warned that the costs of defending the suit eventually could balloon to nearly $33.7 million.
The subcommittee of the Senate Budget Committee that refused the governor’s request demanded that administration officials justify the expenditure.
Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), subcommittee chairman, said he was especially interested in learning why the Davis administration wanted to fight the suit instead of spending the money on improving the medical care of inmates.
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