Senate Bill 8X 60, the Jobs Protection Act will be heard in Senate Rules Committee Wednesday, March 10th at 1:30.

The Jobs Protection Act would require any bill that has an economic impact on California business to be sent to an existing joint committee for the preparation of an economic impact analysis and hearing. Highlights of the bill:

• Measures deemed to raise taxes, fees or otherwise negatively impact businesses would be sent to the Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions and Consumer Protections.
• Any legislation that is determined to cost small businesses over $10,000 or large businesses over $50,000 would be sent to a “suspense file” where they would be considered together at a later date.
• The Act will provide the legislature with a better understanding of the total impact a piece of legislation will have on California’s economy by providing a forum to discuss less costly alternatives that may achieve the same goals.

[Fact Sheet]

Prison fee measure offers ex-cons incentive to stay out of prison

This week I introduced Senate Bill 1364, legislation giving the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and county sheriffs the ability to charge prisoners a nominal fee for discretionary items. The debt would be forgiven if the inmate does not return to prison within two years of being released.

It is a common-sense measure that will help encourage newly released inmates to stay out of prison. Rather than releasing prisoners to save money, we can charge them a fee for non-necessities and then encourage them to stay crime free by forgiving the debt if they do. I think it is a win-win for everyone.

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