Lawmakers Split Over Governor—s Authority to Close Up to Five Prisons in Budget Proposal

Assembly and Senate members opened the joint budget subcommittee hearing on public protection, criminal justice and the judiciary with sharply differing views over language in the executive budget that would authorize the governor to close up to five correctional facilities on an accelerated timetable.

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, chair of the Assembly Codes Committee and chair of the Public Protection Subcommittee, presided over the session. "We'd appreciate it if people try to keep their remarks a minute or under," Dinowitz said as the committee began.

The dispute centered on the governor's proposed authority to close facilities this fiscal year. "The 5 prison closures where we have strong opposition to, especially in 90 days, that's an insult and and a slap in the face," said Mr. Palmisano, speaking for the assembly minority, who expressed concern about staff morale, recruitment and the needs of county jails that hold people awaiting state placement. Palmisano also cited recent internal figures, saying assaults on staff have risen…