Berryhill Opposed To State Sentencing Commission

Sacramento, Ca — Assemblyman Tom Berryhill is voicing concerns about a bill passing through the Assembly that would create a California Sentencing Commission for the state´s prison system.

Berryhill is concerned that the commission would have sweeping powers to alter the state´s mandatory sentencing laws without legislative input. The 16 member panel would be comprised of members appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. Under the measure, the commission would have the power to implement their changes, unless a majority of one house of the legislature votes to reject the specific recommendation.

“In April, this legislature passed AB 900, which represented a bipartisan approach to addressing the prison overcrowding issue,” says Berryhill. “Less than a month later we are being asked to support AB 160 – an issue which has already been negotiated. It is wholly inappropriate for California´s sentencing laws to be put in the hands of what would amount to an unaccountable bureaucracy.”

Berryhill´s 25th District includes both Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties.

Written by BJ Hansen