Daniel Abrahamson, co-author of Proposition 5 and Director of Legal Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance Network, publicly called out California Attorney General and former governor Jerry Brown on his motives behind opposing Proposition 5, the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act. No on Prop 5 is heavily financed by California's prison guard union, who is in turn supporting Brown's bid for Governor in 2010. Interestingly, US Senator Dianne Feinstein, another prominent opponent of Prop 5 (and another hawkish Democrat) is also considering a bid for Governor in 2010. It all gets a little sticky. LAist has more on Prop 5. more ›

This ad is the first Yes on Prop 5 spot and is entitled "Warden." It features Jeanne Woodford, former warden of San Quentin State Prison and former Director of the California Department of Corrections. Against a backdrop of images of San Quentin, she speaks of her 25 years working at the prison, where she began as a prison guard. "Let me tell you," Woodford says, "too many of the men I dealt with started out as kids with drug problems. But California doesn't have treatment for kids." She goes on to say that the youth treatment provisions of Prop. 5 are one of its main draws for her. "I can't tell you how good I feel," Woodford says, "when I think of all those kids who will never wind up in prison." more ›

Whether you're sitting in front of your absentee ballot or you're readying yourself for voting in person on November, you're looking at national and local elections as well as a slew of California ballot propositions -- 12 to be exact. Well, over the course of this election cycle, LAist writers have posted about 10 of the 12 propositions. We present to you our posts on each proposition, for a more empowered decision on your part. In addition, we provide links to several voter guides put together by California organizations, for your perusal. more ›

What is Proposition 6? Prop 6, also known as the Runner Initiative or the Safe Neighborhoods Act, is a move to increase funding for police and prisons and toughen penalties on "gang-related" and drug crime . It has been introduced by George Runner (Republican state senator) and his wife Sharon Runner (Republican state assemblywoman). more ›

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