Prisons are extremely problematic in California. The legislature had, for a long time, failed to ease repercussions on parole violations, which would reduce the number of prisoners in California. On 1 September, however, the legislature did approve the prison legislation, although as a much weaker version of what it used to be and with a slim majority along party lines. At the same time, the Schwarzenegger administration filed for a delay on the order to reduce the prison population, which was denied by a special judicial panel.
On a similar note, Los Angeles County prosecutors are doing their 'best' to help prison overcrowding by asking for cruel and unusual punishment—the death penalty—in a gang-related murder.
As the economy weakens and California suffers in this recession, a migration is taking place. Many Californians are now looking eastward... ironically enough. Nevada is now a popular destination for migrating Californians looking for jobs and other opportunities.
Last week California, like most financially ailing families, cleared its 'state attic' and held a 'yard sale' in Sacramento. The items sold came mostly from surplus equipment or cutbacks in objects such as police cars.
Sacramento is also asking the federal government to ease its restrictions on water use in California, despite the drought, citing the farming economy as its reason.
A congressional district near San Francisco held its elections and it became obvious during the campaign that healthcare reform is the forefront issue among the Democratic candidates. They were all supporting it. Republicans, on the other side, had family values and trade policy on their platform, and were attacking healthcare reform. Election results require a runoff between the leading Democrat (26%) and leading Republican (21%).
California also serves as one example and reason out of fifty for why we need a national healthcare reform: As part of its budget cuts approved a couple of months ago, healthcare for the poor is suffering in California, prompting Schwarzenegger and California Democrats to levy a new tax on insurance companies.
Finally, California can now say, 'IOU nothing,' as it begins to replace previously issued IOUs with checks.
