Good morning and welcome to AM Alert!
THE CLOCK IS OUT FOR SB 94
In the end it did not come to a vote.
In the final days of the legislative session, Assembly decided last week not to take it SB-94Senator’s Troubled Criminal Justice Reform Bill Dave CorteseD-San Jose, for final consideration. This brings to a close a two-year legislative process that has seen many ups and downs.
“After two years of negotiations and more than a dozen amendments considered, I am incredibly disappointed that SB 94 was not given the opportunity to be heard and the amendments considered for a vote by the full Legislature. The bill, like those it could have helped, did not get a day in court,” Cortese said in a statement.
SB 94 would have allowed certain inmates serving life in prison without the possibility of parole to petition for re-sentencing, provided they were convicted before June 5, 1990, and served at least 25 years. The bill would have exempted sex offenders and people convicted of killing police officers.
“California’s model of rehabilitation often works, but we must do better. We must continue the conversation and overhaul the racist, inconsistent, and harmful sentencing practices that have disproportionately impacted Californians for more than two decades and will continue to wreak havoc until they are fixed,” Cortese said.
Republicans in the House, who had vocally opposed the bill, also loudly cheered its failure.
“The sweeping SB 94 was a direct attack on the rights of California families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one at the hands of violent criminals,” the Senate Minority Leader said. Brian JonesR-Santee, in a statement. “Thank you to the people of California for standing up for justice, victims’ rights, and public safety. Together, we ensured that violent murderers who brutally take lives will lose their right to freedom — forever.”
Leader of the Republican Assembly James GallagherR-Yuba City, added that “Violent murderers deserve to be punished for their crimes. I am proud that we were able to amplify the voices of victims demanding justice, and grateful for the steadfast support of law enforcement members and district attorneys who helped kill this harmful law.”
Cortese defended his bill in his statement, saying the proposed amendments would have “substantially narrowed SB 94 and demonstrated our continued attention to voices of concern, while leaving its original intent — judicial fairness — intact.”
“SB 94 would not release a single person from prison, it does not pose a risk to public safety, and it does not tie the hands of judges in favor of resentencing. We must trust that our justice system, the parole board, and the executive branch will act to ensure safety and justice,” Cortese said.
TUBBS CARVES HIS OWN SIGNATURES
Last week we announced that Democratic Senator Steven Bradford has received the support of several Sacramento colleagues for his candidacy to become lieutenant governor in 2026.
This week, fellow democrat Michael Tubbsformer mayor of Stockton, has garnered his own endorsements, including from former state senator and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
“His work as mayor of Stockton and his leading state and national advocacy groups exemplify the type of leader we need as lieutenant governor: someone who will lead efforts to improve education, create a healthier environment and create a fairer economy for all,” Mitchell said in a statement.
Tubbs made his name as mayor when he introduced a guaranteed basic income program for some of his constituents, giving them money with no strings attached to pay for their basic needs.
He is now a special advisor to the governor. Gavin Newsomas well as the founder of the group Mayors for a guaranteed income.
Tubbs and Bradford are two prominent Democrats running for lieutenant governor — a springboard to higher office for many, including Newsom. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma is a third. No prominent Republican has entered the race yet.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When California voters approved Proposition 1 in March, we promised you transformative change. Today, we continue to demonstrate our work — for you, the people of California. Counties have the tools to create change, and now Californians have the tools to track their county’s progress. It’s up to all of us to ensure that these life-saving transformations happen urgently at the local level.”
– California Governor Gavin Newsom discusses the launch of a new website aimed at holding the government accountable for implementing Proposition 1, the 2024 measure to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment in the state.
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