This is CCPOA's 5150 information hotline for Friday, December 16, 2011.
CCPOA NEWS
Chapter Elections Update – State Secretary Perry Speth has issued an updated listing of the CCPOA chapter elections results. We have posted the document on the website with the new information.
CDCR NEWS
DeWitt Nelson to Receive Conversion funding– Pooled Money Investment Board, a state agency voted to extend a $97 million line of credit to the CDCR this week. The money will go towards the cost of converting the now closed DeWitt Nelson Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton into a 684-bed men's prison. The conversion is being funded through AB 900 funds to relieve prison overcrowding.
Cause of Oklahoma Riot by CA Inmates Unknown– A private prison in Oklahoma still does not have a cause it can release for a riot among inmates that occurred nearly two months ago. The police chief said he has received no information from Corrections Corp. of America regarding the Oct. 11 riot that resulted in 16 California inmates being hospitalized. CCA spokesman said they haven’t released the details of the riot because the police investigation is ongoing. However, Police Chief Ronnie Harrold said he has yet to receive anything from the prison regarding the riot and said CCA has "been giving us the runaround." For more on this, please go to the CCPOA website, where the full story is posted.
CAPITOL NEWS
Part Time Legislature Initiative– A constitutional amendment to switch California's Legislature to a part-time body meeting about three months per year was proposed recently by a Republican lawmaker and the head of a political watchdog group. The measure by Republican Assemblywoman Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, and Ted Costa of People's Advocate, also would cut legislators' salaries from $7,940 per month to $1,500 per month -- or $18,000 annually. The news article from the Sacramento Bee is linked on our website.
Budget Trigger Cuts– as a result of the less-than-expected revenue coming in to state coffers, the state budget approved last summer will be pared again. CDCR will take a $20 million reduction in unspecified cuts and county probation funding, which was slated to be cut by $100 million, was spared, although counties will have to retain custody of certain juvenile offenders or reimburse the state $125,000 annually for custody.
Pension Liability Study– A new study released by a Stanford University-based think tank says California's public employee pension plans face long-term shortfalls as high as $500 billion. Numerous media outlets and political opportunists have latched on to this study as proof that public employee pensions need to be reduced. CalPERS this week responded to the study, citing numerous errors and exaggerations in the report. We’ve linked the CalPERS response on the front page of the website for your convenience.
NOTICES
State Board Meeting– The January Board of Directors meeting will cover two days and has been set for January 20 & 21 at the Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, located at 3rd & J Street in Sacramento.
Chapter Presidents Training– New Chapter President training will be held the day before, on Thursday, January 19th at CCPOA Headquarters in West Sacramento.
Retired Chapter Meeting– Will be held tomorrow, December 17 at the Holiday Inn Express in Sacramento. The meeting will take place from 1:00 -5:00 pm.
Please notify Debbie Rollins if you plan on attending by calling 1-800-821-6443, ext. 239 or email: debbie.rollins@ccpoa.org
Knott’s Berry Farm– Just a reminder that Knott’s Berry Farm is providing free admission for you and a guest as part of its “18th Annual Salute to Fire and Police Personnel” through January 31st. See the flyer on the website for more details.
Finally, when staff assaults occur, please send a completed staff assault alert form to Nicole Gomez at nichol.gomez@ccpoa.org.
For the latest news on pension reform, prison realignment, private prisons and parolee problems, please go to the CCPOA website where we post the information as it comes in.
Thanks for calling the 5150 hotline and have a safe shift.