Prison Guards fly legislators to Hawaii

Prisons are the one area of the budget that actually had an increase in funding, despite the cuts handed down in all other areas. The guard's union is the group that really runs Sacramento. What Schwarzenegger was saying about casinos run by indian tribes was completely wrong, because indians are still the most low income group in the state.


Dozens of legislators to attend prison guards' Maui meeting
Event follows expected special session by days

Greg Lucas, Sacramento Bureau Chief Thursday, November 13, 2003

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Sacramento -- Nearly 40 lawmakers plan to attend a conference hosted by the state's powerful prison guards' union at a posh Maui resort in late November, just days after Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger intends to call a special legislative session to tackle California's economic woes.

Thirty-eight Democratic and GOP lawmakers said they would attend the California Correctional Peace Officers Association's annual conference, according to sources familiar with the plans. Some lawmakers are bringing their spouses and children.

Last year, three of the top four legislative leaders came under fire for attending the guards' conference in Hawaii as Gov. Gray Davis announced nearly $10 billion in emergency budget cuts.

"The law allows them to do it,'' said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies. "The law should be changed, though, because it's a questionable use of campaign funds to pay for family members who aren't going to attend the conference.''

Lawmakers who plan to attend stress that they are paying their own way.

Assemblywoman Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, said she was paying for her room at the Maui Sheraton with her own money. The only part of the trip being paid for with campaign funds is her airfare, she said.

"This was the first year I was invited," Corbett said. "I'm going just to hear what they have to say.''

GOP leaders of the Senate and the Assembly, both of whom were at the conference last year, said they were not attending this year.

Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, D-Los Angeles, who attended the conference last year, isn't sure whether he'll attend this year.

"A new governor is being sworn in, he's calling a special session, and the speaker's first priority will be to oversee the house during that time,'' said Patricia Soto, Wesson's press secretary.

Among the other lawmakers who said they would attend are Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County), and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth,

R-Murrieta (Riverside County).

The conference's workload isn't staggering. On Sunday, Nov. 23, there is a welcoming reception. There are panels and discussions Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Afternoons are free. Kid-friendly activities are also planned.

Given the timing of the conference during Thanksgiving week, it is unlikely the Legislature would have done much work even if the 38 members scheduled to attend the conference stayed in Sacramento.

A spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger said the new GOP governor, who during his campaign made a point of eschewing campaign contributions from public employee unions, was confident lawmakers would still get the job done.

"We're confident legislators will come into session and begin reforming workers' compensation and finding solutions to the budget deficit this administration has inherited,'' said Karen Hanretty. "We're certain good progress will be made over the coming weeks.''

Calls seeking comment from the guard union were not returned.

The Hawaii trip was scheduled before Schwarzenegger's election.

The union is one of the most powerful players in the Capitol. It contributed $1.1 million during the 2002 election cycle to lawmakers and candidates for statewide office of both parties.

In March 2002, lawmakers and Davis approved a six-year contract with the union that contained 37 percent pay increases. The contract eventually will cost California taxpayers $518 million each year, according to a state audit.

"In a sense, these legislators may feel obliged to go because it's a real powerful union, and if they don't go, what will the union think, and will the union not support them?'' Stern said.

E-mail Greg Lucas at glucas [at] sfchronicle.com