The Waning Days of the 2007-2008
Tumultuous Legislative Session
Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
By James L. Frayne
Legislative Director
August 26, 2008

As the sun sets on the waning days of the close of this two year legislative session (2007-2008), the legislature has not resolved the state’s 15 billion dollar plus state fiscal deficit. My last legislative report of August 14, 2008 detailed the status of the state budget “conundrum” in detail.

When this legislative up-date is published, most likely this legislative session will be adjourned as scheduled on August 31, 2008. Hopefully the state budget will have passed the legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger will have signed same. (I sincerely hope).

Thereafter the Governor will have until September the 30th to act on any legislation that has been sent to his desk. His options are to sign, veto, or take no action. If he takes no action on a legislative measure, it will become law without his signature.

The legislature, during this two year session has introduced 4,865 legislative bills. We have been continually monitoring some 500 measures that would have affected “public safety”. In the Senate we have been following 248 issues and in the Assembly 252 issues. We have actively participated in varying degrees on the major public safety issues (testifying, amending, etc.).

Please find posted on your website a complete report of each measure, i.e., author, subject, description, and status. For your information, please note public safety issues run the gamut of state codes. As an example, you will note that measures cross numerous state codes, penal, government, tax, water, constitutional, etc., etc. The diversity of issues important to public safety and its officers are many and varied. We must monitor each and every one. The fate of those measures being sent to the Governor will not be known until October 1, 2008.

Presently, (as of today) major state funding for public safety, in the state budget is preserved, however, until the Governor “inks” the final budget we are still apprehensive!

I wish to again thank those legislators and staff (to numerous to list), your president, Kevin Mickelson, your officers, board members and members for their support during the turbulent and challenging budget and legislative issues over this two year period.

Stay safe and keep the faith!!!