What The Folly?!

Analysis: LAO raises concerns over latest California prison ‘realignment’ blueprint

Jenny Jiang — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:19:16 +0000

A report released by the Legislative Analyst’s Office this week raised concerns over the cost and legal uncertainties surrounding the latest prison ‘realignment’ plan submitted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. While the LAO’s report was generally supportive of the proposals outlined in CDCR’s April realignment blueprint, the analysts questioned the department’s plan [...]

Texas may have executed the wrong Carlos

Jenny Jiang — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:56:35 +0000

An investigation by Columbia Law School students strongly suggests that Texas may have executed the wrong man for the 1983 killing of a convenience store clerk in Corpus Christi. The team, led by Professor James Liebman, uncovered previously suppressed evidence that appeared to exonerate Carlos DeLuna, who was executed in 1989. The Columbia team’s findings [...]

House Republicans approve watered-down VAWA

Jenny Jiang — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:27:03 +0000

House Republicans today pushed through a weakened version of the Violence Against Women Act despite pleas from Democratic lawmakers and women rights advocates to preserve protections for underserved populations. The White House has indicated that President Barack Obama would veto the House version. Passed by a 235-186 vote, the House version – H.R. 4970 - [...]

Revised 2012-13 California Budget: Programs subject to trigger cuts if tax ballot measure fails

Jenny Jiang — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:40:53 +0000

If California voters reject Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax measure in November, the trigger cuts to the tune of $6.1 billion will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. Education, which makes up 53% of the state’s General Fund spendings, will bear 90% of the trigger cuts. Read more: California confronted with higher deficit in updated 2012-13 budget [...]

Revised 2012-13 California Budget: Proposed cuts to bridge the additional $6.5 billion shortfall

Jenny Jiang — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:22:26 +0000

Faced with an additional $6.5 billion deficit, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed another $4.1 billion in cuts to balance the state budget. This would bring the total budget cuts to $8.3 billion for fiscal year 2012-13. Read more: California confronted with higher deficit in updated 2012-13 budget Some of the additional spending cuts include: $1.4 billion [...]

Revised 2012-13 California Budget: Sources of the higher deficit projections

Jenny Jiang — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:39:41 +0000

California Gov. Jerry Brown’s January budget projected a $9.2 billion shortfall; however, the May revision estimated that the budget gap will grow to $15.7 billion. Read more: California confronted with higher deficit in updated 2012-13 budget The revised budget attributed the $6.5 billion deficit increase to three factors: Overly optimistic tax revenue forecast – $4.3 billion [...]

California faces higher deficit in revised 2012-13 budget

Jenny Jiang — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:01:42 +0000

Gov. Jerry Brown has called for another round of steep cuts to California’s education, health care and social welfare programs to bridge an additional $6.5 billion deficit projected in the revised 2012-13 state budget. “It’s a difficult budget and it reflects the fact that revenues are lowered than we expected,” Brown said yesterday. “We’re going to [...]

Transcript: Press conference Q&A with Gov. Jerry Brown on the May revision of the 2012-13 California budget

editor — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:49:33 +0000

Transcript: Press conference Q&A with Gov. Jerry Brown on the May revision of the 2012-13 California budget: Question: ”Governor, on employee compensation, can you explain how you’re going to achieve those savings? Can you do it by executive or how are you going to do it?” Gov. Jerry Brown: ”Through negotiations. We have contracts, and we’ll look [...]

Transcript: CA Gov. Jerry Brown on the May revised state budget for 2012-2013

editor — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:10 +0000

Transcript of remarks by Gov. Jerry Brown (D-Calif.) on the revised 2012-2013 state budget released on May 14, 2012: “Good morning. Today, I’m releasing the May revision to the budget this year. “It’s a difficult budget and it reflects the fact that revenues are lowered than we expected. Certain cuts weren’t made in January [...]

Transcript: Cmdr. Walter Ruiz’s remarks on the arraignment of alleged 9/11 co-conspirator Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi

editor — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:36:18 +0000

Transcript of remarks by Cmdr. Walter Ruiz, detailed military defense counsel, on the arraignment of Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi at Guantanamo Bay on charges related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks: (*NOTE: Press conference was held on Sunday, May 6, 2012) Cmdr. Walter Ruiz, detailed military defense counsel for Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi: “Good [...]