RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 66
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 66
Approved 10/25/04
Whereas, California’s Three Strikes Law currently fails to set reasonable parameters
for what qualifies as a second and third strike; and
Whereas, 65% of inmates serving second and third strike sentences were convicted
of non-violent, non-serious offenses, some serving life sentences for
burglary of unoccupied homes, recreational drug use, and shoplifting; and
Whereas, The discretion currently given to prosecutors to seek second and third
strikes on non-violent offenses results in arbitrary and unjust sentences;
and
Whereas, The three strikes law is applied disproportionately to communities of color
and poverty. Currently, 71% of three strikers are African American or
Latino. Caucasian offenders are far less likely to receive strikes for both
non-violent and violent crimes; and
Whereas, The three strikes law supports the rapidly growing Prison Industrial
Complex in the State of California, and
Whereas, California has been dealing with severe budget deficits resulting in over
3/4 billion dollars being reduced from the CSU General Fund allocation
over the past three years; and
Whereas, Our State spends 5.6 billion dollars annually on incarceration and only
4.3 billion on higher education; and
Whereas, CSU students have suffered fee increases, while the prison industry has
seen their budgets increase; and
Whereas, Proposition 66 “Limitation on “Three Strikes Law” Sex Crimes
Punishment Initiative Statute”, seeks to require that increased sentences
under the three strikes law only apply in the case of violent and serious felonies, and
Whereas, Proposition 66 redefines violent and serious felonies for the purpose of the
three strikes statute so that only the most violent and heinous crimes are
considered for strikes; and
Whereas, Proposition 66 ensures the safety of our communities by increasing the
mandatory sentences for child molestation; and
Whereas, Preliminary fiscal analysis has revealed Proposition 66 will generate
hundreds of millions of dollars annually in savings to the State of
California, and
Whereas, These savings could be funneled into higher education and college
preparation programs; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Associated Students formally endorse Proposition 66 and it will
hereby incorporate education on Proposition 66 and the Prison Industrial
Complex into our Get Out The Vote efforts; therefore be it further
Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent, but not limited to HSU President
Rollin Richmond, the HSU Academic Senate, the California State
Student Association, the Lumberjack Newspaper, and the local media.
Authored by:
Manuel Fonseca, Representative
California State Student Association
Approved by:
Kyle Zeck,
A.S. Legislative Vice President
Samantha Williams-Gray
A.S. President