Re “Don’t fall for scare tactics on prisons” (Editorial, May 25):

The Bee’s editorial accused me of fear mongering when I warned that the U.S. Supreme Court’s flawed decision on California prisons poses a threat to the public safety. Not true.

Gov. Jerry Brown plans to move thousands of prisoners to local jails. Unfortunately those jails don’t have the capacity to house new prisoners, and that’s unlikely to change in the short time frame provided by the court. The result will be the early release of many convicted felons with a history of serious crimes.

These felons may be labeled “nonviolent” but don’t let that fool you. Nonviolent offenders include commercial burglars, car thieves and drug dealers. Many plea-bargained to avoid tougher sentences and many have violent histories, including prior convictions for child abuse, domestic violence or assaulting a police officer.

These are bad folks. I doubt you want them in your neighborhood.

The Bee’s editorial board would have you believe that fiscal conservatives are to blame for California’s current prison problems – if those tightwads would just support higher taxes, California’s problems would be solved.

But they don’t tell you that Californians already bear the sixth highest tax burden in the nation. We already spend more per prisoner – about $50,000 a year – than any other state. Health care costs alone have soared to $18,000 per prisoner per year since the federal takeover of our prison health care system.

The court’s finding of overcrowding was based on the “design capacity” of our prisons, which assumes one prisoner per room. Most of our prisons were built with two beds per room; accordingly their operating capacity far exceeds design capacity.

Perhaps The Bee believes convicted felons should have private rooms and premium health care when many jobless Californians have neither. I don’t.

Given the outrageous costs of our current system, it shouldn’t cost a penny more to house prisoners in other locations. In fact, we should save money. But that won’t stop politicians and editorial page editors from claiming otherwise in an attempt to scare folks into supporting higher taxes.

There are solutions to reducing our prison population. For starters, we should demand that the federal government transfer the 20,000 criminal illegal aliens in our state prisons to federal prisons. After all, they’re only here because the federal government failed to safeguard our borders.

But as we look for solutions, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking a bad court decision that threatens public safety is anything other than that.

As the lead legislative intervenor challenging an August 2009 federal court order reducing California’s prison population, I am dismayed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in Brown v. Plata.

The decision to force California’s prisons to release 46,000 convicted felons is a historic attack on the constitutional rights of states and the liberty of all Californians.

By flooding our neighborhoods with criminals, the Court will make one of highest taxed states in the nation among the most dangerous as well, further tarnishing the California dream.

At a time when law-abiding Californians cannot find jobs, it’s hard to imagine how convicted felons will do anything other than return to a life of crime.

But at least Justice Kennedy can sleep easier at night knowing that none of these dangerous felons will be released in his neighborhood.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California’s Amber Alert notification system would be expanded to include attacks against law enforcement officers involving a fleeing suspect under a bill approved by lawmakers.The state Senate on Thursday unanimously approved SB839, sending it to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill would allow so-called Blue Alerts to be issued when a peace officer is killed or seriously wounded and the suspect escapes. The alerts could broadcast descriptions of a suspect or vehicle on television, radio stations and freeway signs.

The bill’s author, Republican Sen. George Runner of Lancaster, says California would be among the first states to implement Blue Alerts statewide. California’s current Amber Alert system has been in place since 2002.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Jerry Dyer, long-time Fresno Police Chief and an incredibly dedicated public safety official,” said Runner. “Jerry knows the hardships that have been created for police departments as a result of the state’s raiding of local funds. I am grateful for his support in my attempt to serve as taxpayer advocate for public safety departments throughout the district.”

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

Runner is currently leading in fundraising and the number of slate mail pieces and has the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He also currently represents the voter heavy southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. Runner authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Runner expressed gratitude for Scott’s endorsement, saying, “It’s an honor to have the endorsement of McGregor Scott, a revered member of our legal system. I am grateful to have his support in my effort to advocate for relief of California’s overburdened taxpayers as a Board of Equalization member.”

As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California from 2003 to 2009, Scott ran an office of approximately 75 lawyers who represented the government in both criminal and civil matters in the federal courts in Sacramento and Fresno. Scott’s office prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including the “Lodi terror case” that resulted in a guilty verdict for material support to terrorists. From 1997 to 2003, Scott served as District Attorney of Shasta County, where he was elected twice. Scott left the U.S. Attorney post in 2003 to join Orrick law firm in Sacramento, where he is currently a member of the Litigation Group.

Runner recently received the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program, makes Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of such a large and distinguished law enforcement organization,” Runner said. “It’s been my pleasure to work with the hard-working men and women in law enforcement throughout my career on such landmark legislation as Amber Alert, Jessica’s Law and Blue Alert.”

With more than 790 member organizations, representing 60,000-plus officers, PORAC is the largest law enforcement association in the state and the largest statewide association in the United States. The organization plays a leadership role in organizing, empowering and representing the interests of rank-and-file peace officers.

This endorsement comes on the heels of the recently announced endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored the successful Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.