Cost shifting in California

Part of Cal restructure was sending prisoners back to their county of origin, saving state costs. So now the Guv is proposing to constitutionally guarantee state funding for local prisoners.

 At a speech at the Sacramento Convention Center in front of hundreds of law enforcement and local government officials, the governor promised to secure a constitutional [fundng] guarantee. The governor wants to place the issue on the ballot in November of 2012. The governor stated at one point, “Don't worry about the money. We'll get it to you one way or the other.” But his promises may not be enough to allay the fears of local officials when one takes into account Republican opposition, which already stymied the governor’s efforts to lock down a package that involves tax increases. Cal City

The skew in California democracy, from the skew in its federal relationship all adds up to big problems when we start shifting costs around. A much better apportionment would be along the North/South California subdivision proposed by Jeff Stone. The Jeff Stone approach gets Cal better federal representation, and provided dual regional prison funding, better economies of scale and better voter management of funds.

Brown may be breaking California further by attempting this state/county binding and tax lock up.