Senate subcommittee adopts staff recommendations as stakeholders warn funding for Prop 36 and probation services is inadequate

The California State Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation met in Capitol Room 112 and adopted staff recommendations covering dozens of budget issues while public commenters urged stronger, ongoing funding for Proposition 36 implementation and for probation and pretrial services.

Why it matters: Stakeholders said the subcommittee's one-time funding proposals and proposed cuts to probation and pretrial services risk undercutting voter-mandated treatment, county implementation capacity and community supervision intended to reduce prison admissions.

Public comment and stakeholder concerns

Josh Garger, representing the Chief Probation Officers of California, told the subcommittee, "this is not a good budget for probation departments" and warned of multiple reductions he said would harm community supervision. Garger said the budget cuts include a $25,000,000 reduction to SB 678 funding for community corrections incentives, "0 funding for probation to implement Proposition 36," and cuts of $5,000,000 next year and $20,000,000 ongoing for pretrial services that help people who cannot afford bail return to court.

"We're disappointed in the outcome but look…