The Runner Initiative: Running California's Economy into the Ground with Failed Correctional Policies

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Jakada Imani(Executive Director of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights) speaking at Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative Launch Press Conference with Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (back) and California NAACP President Alice Huffman

By Zachary Norris, Esq.
Books Not Bars

Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights and faith-based organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would bankrupt California by pumping billions of dollars into prisons and failed "anti-gang" laws and "tough on crime" policies of the past. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative held a press conference May 7, 2008, announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, the California NAACP, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The press conference coincided with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.

The “Criminal Penalties and Laws State Spending Statute”, a potential November ballot initiative introduced by State Senator George Runner, would bust the state budget by directing billions of dollars to fund prisons, probation, and police in the midst of a budget crisis that has caused drastic cuts to education and health care. This potential statewide ballot proposal, also known as the "Runner Initiative" or "Safe Neighborhoods Act," is a far reaching-measure that stiffens criminal penalties and introduces laws reminiscent of failed polices of the past that did not increase public safety, but instead substantially increased California's prison population and wasted California tax dollars.

"The Runner Initiative's name on the November ballot is as misleading as what it proposes to do for our community. The so-called 'Safe Neighborhoods Act' will not lead to safer streets, less crime or a reduction in drug dealing in our community," said United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "The Runner Initiative doesn't address the core problems or create real solutions. In light of the current California budget crisis, we cannot afford to irresponsibly spend even more California tax-dollars on a failed policy of only funding prisons and criminalizing youth."

The multi-billion dollar initiative would shift state resources away from education, crime and violence prevention and toward increased incarceration of youth and young adults from low-income communities of color who already have limited opportunities for education, employment and rehabilitation. The initiative would cost Californians one billion dollars in the first year, and half a billion per year thereafter; plus additional unfunded mandates that local and county governments will be forced to pay.