Sen. Brian King links prison overcrowding to rising crime; proposes public safety fund from gaming and marijuana proceeds

State Senator Brian King outlined a multi‑year view of the state’s crime, corrections and budget trends and said previous policy changes aimed at reducing corrections costs coincided with rising violent crime and prison overcrowding.

King traced policy shifts beginning in 2011 and later reform efforts, arguing that some enacted changes coincided with a growth in the prison population. He said corrections has remained a relatively modest share of the state budget in percentage terms while Medicaid and other spending grew, and warned that large one‑time capital proposals for a “mega prison” could be financially risky.

As an alternative, King described a policy package that includes (1) a regular‑session appropriation proposal to direct $100 million to a public safety fund to hire 400–600 public safety officers and to shore up probation and parole capacity; and (2) a proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate proceeds from casino gaming and medical marijuana (minus administrative costs) to a public safety fund. King said the approach would aim to reduce crime proactively by increasing enforcement capacity and support for supervision — which, he argued, would reduce long‑term corrections costs more effectively than relying solely on new prison construction.

Committee members asked about funding mechanics and whether proceeds were currently earmarked. King said the legislature can move revenue streams and that a constitutional amendment would give voters a direct say about dedicating those proceeds to public safety. No vote was taken during the hearing.