A new study from PPIC states that criminal activity among immigrant groups is lower than native born Americans. The study says that when comparing groups of incarcerated males U.S. and foreign-born and comparing lower levels of education are less likely to be in jail or prison.
This is also true of illegal immigrants and for both populations at national levels of incarceration as well. Some inferences that can be drawn from this study are that immigrants are indeed coming to this nation for work and a chance at prosperity.
Link: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/02/immigrants_incl.html
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Mr. Schwarzenegger Goes to Washington/ JoAnne Golden
Schwarzenegger just returned from lobbying in D.C. for mortgage relief, border security, and funding for roads and levees. Congress recently changed home mortgage limits to $729,500, and the governor hopes that it is a permanent increase. He also hopes that the National Guard will supplement the Border Patrol in preventing trafficking and illegal crossings of the border. The governor requested that National Guard emergency equipment be returned to California (currently in Iraq), so California may better prepare for any floods, fires, etc. He did realize, however, that getting money for infrastructure was not “sexy.
Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_8365584
Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_8365584
Friday, February 22, 2008
Jessica's Law may raise risk of sex offenses/ Hagob Boyadjian
Jessica’s Law was implemented 15 months ago in an effort to restrict where paroled sex offenders may live and require that there location be electronically monitored on a daily basis. It forbids paroled sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places that typically have children gather. These places are defined very vaguely in the law and some locations lack sufficient housing outside areas that are clearly off limits. Due to the ambiguity, enforcement is proving to be difficult and extremely costly. It is also leading many paroled sex offenders to become transients. In fact, it is estimated that there is a 44% increase in the number of paroled sex offenders becoming transients. Experts say that this increase may actually raise the risk of sex offenses.
The law also states that all sex offenders who leave prison with a single sex crime on their record must be evaluated by a mental health expert to determine whether they are a "sexually violent predator" and eligible for confinement in a mental hospital. This additional requirement by the law is estimated to have increased the cost to the state from 3M to 27M.
Gov. Schwarzenegger is welcoming the reports of the analyses conducted on Jessica’s Law and the risk of an increase in sex offenses in an effort to make the necessary adjustments to make Jessica’s Law much more effective.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-offenders22feb22,1,745143.story
The law also states that all sex offenders who leave prison with a single sex crime on their record must be evaluated by a mental health expert to determine whether they are a "sexually violent predator" and eligible for confinement in a mental hospital. This additional requirement by the law is estimated to have increased the cost to the state from 3M to 27M.
Gov. Schwarzenegger is welcoming the reports of the analyses conducted on Jessica’s Law and the risk of an increase in sex offenses in an effort to make the necessary adjustments to make Jessica’s Law much more effective.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-offenders22feb22,1,745143.story
Thursday, February 21, 2008
California Schools feel the Burn of Budget Cuts/Erica Quevedo
California’s budget crisis has reached new heights as Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal could possibly cut $4.8 billion dollars in education funding. As school districts throughout California frenzy to trim their already slim budgets they are faced with the dim reality of firing teachers.
Rialto Unified School District, which faces a $23 million budget cut, voted last week to send over 300 notices to employees and teachers informing them that they may not have a job next year. While some districts like San Francisco who face a $40 million dollar budget cut have the luxury of looking hopefully towards accessing a “rainy day” fund, other districts like Long Beach Unified are forced to close down schools. If the San Francisco Board of Supervisors fail to pass the proposal to access the rainy day funds the 56,000 student district will be forced to lay off over 500 teachers and administrators. Meanwhile Long Beach Board of Education has voted to close Tucker Elementary school in efforts to save an estimated $1 million dollars; in consequence they are forced with relocating 400 students to neighboring MacArthur Elementary school.
Los Angeles Unified School District alone is potentially facing a $560 million dollar deficit for next year under this proposed budget; this would be the largest in the state. According to the LA Times, Chief Financial Officer Megan K. Reilly said the $460-million cut would be the equivalent of closing 22 high schools, firing 5,750 employees or instituting an 8% pay cut for all employees.
As School Districts throughout California feel the heat of budget cuts policy makers must scramble to address the unintended consequences and effects on education policy. The dangers of firing teachers and school employees potentially leads to increased class sizes, over crowdedness, less security and ultimately further burdens an already struggling education system.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools21feb21,0,3850513.story?page=1
Rialto Unified School District, which faces a $23 million budget cut, voted last week to send over 300 notices to employees and teachers informing them that they may not have a job next year. While some districts like San Francisco who face a $40 million dollar budget cut have the luxury of looking hopefully towards accessing a “rainy day” fund, other districts like Long Beach Unified are forced to close down schools. If the San Francisco Board of Supervisors fail to pass the proposal to access the rainy day funds the 56,000 student district will be forced to lay off over 500 teachers and administrators. Meanwhile Long Beach Board of Education has voted to close Tucker Elementary school in efforts to save an estimated $1 million dollars; in consequence they are forced with relocating 400 students to neighboring MacArthur Elementary school.
Los Angeles Unified School District alone is potentially facing a $560 million dollar deficit for next year under this proposed budget; this would be the largest in the state. According to the LA Times, Chief Financial Officer Megan K. Reilly said the $460-million cut would be the equivalent of closing 22 high schools, firing 5,750 employees or instituting an 8% pay cut for all employees.
As School Districts throughout California feel the heat of budget cuts policy makers must scramble to address the unintended consequences and effects on education policy. The dangers of firing teachers and school employees potentially leads to increased class sizes, over crowdedness, less security and ultimately further burdens an already struggling education system.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools21feb21,0,3850513.story?page=1
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
L.A. County ballot design went unnoticed for six years/ Ayawo Awanyo
Los Angeles County adopted in March 2002 the ballot design in order to reduce election costs. This ballot used by nonpartisan voters generated tens of thousands uncounted votes in three elections between 2002 and 2006. However, for the February 5 presidential primary, an advocacy group named Courage Campaign decided to fix this issue. A day before the election, this organization warned County registrar-recorder about the defect of the ballot design. In addition, the ballot design constitutes a violation of a state law because it required additional step not required of others. However, a survey conducted after the February 5 presidential primary revealed that around 50,000 nonpartisan votes were not counted. This might adversely affect Senator Barack Obama than Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.
Link: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vote18feb18,1,497763.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Link: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vote18feb18,1,497763.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
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