Bill Would Boost County Funds For State Prisonsers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- State lawmakers have revised a bill to give counties more funding as they prepare to house up to 40,000 inmates who will be transferred from state prisons.
Under the amendments approved in the state Assembly Thursday, counties would have to match just 10 percent of state bond financing to build new jail beds, instead of the current 25 percent.
The changes to AB94 passed the state Assembly 48-14. The Senate already approved them.
Supporters say counties need more funding to handle so many new inmates, but opponents worry the money won't be distributed equitably. It's part of $1.2 billion in jail financing approved in 2007.
Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, wants to shift a host of state responsibilities to counties. He must sign the change for it to become law.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
