Week of December 8th
Urge the Congress to Fully Fund Sexual Assault Service Programs
During the next few weeks, key members of Congress and the Senate will be working on a series of appropriations bills for the 2009 fiscal year. Currently, the government is operating under a continuing resolution, commensurate with their current spending levels. Congressional leadership would like to increase spending and rework some of their priorities for the rest of 2009.
One area of particular interest to CALCASA and its members will be funding for Sexual Assault Service Programs (SASP). As you know, SASP supports vital services such as advocacy, prevention services and campus based services.
Please join us in telling Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jerry Lewis about how important sexual assault victims services are for the State of California. Click “Take Action“ to visit CALCASA’s Grassroots Action Center to send your message to Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Lewis.
State deficit nearly $15 billion
Last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said California’s budget deficit has increased to nearly $15 billion and warned “that the state faces ‘financial Armageddon’ unless lawmakers take decisive action.” The Governor also said if no action is taken, California could face a deficit as great as “$40 billion by June 2010, an administration official said.”
Click here to continue reading.
Congress Passes Anti Trafficking Law
Last week, the Feminist Daily News reported that the Senate passed the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The House passed the act earlier in the week. The Act, H.R. 7311, “authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 and enhances measures to combat trafficking in persons. The Act includes provisions making it easier for victims to remain in the U.S, provides $7.5 million for victim assistance and an increased focus on combating trafficking in children.”
California victim compensation board spending more but helping less
The LA Times reported last week that “crime victims in California are getting less financial help from a state victim compensation fund, and too much is spent on administering the program, according to a state audit released Tuesday.”
Download the full report by clicking here.
Audit Prods L.A. To Tackle Backlog In DNA Evidence
All Things Considered, December 12, 2008 · In Los Angeles, a massive backlog of DNA evidence kits has been discovered. A scathing audit by the city controller in October showed that the L.A. Police Department had nearly 7,000 unopened and untested rape kits. Soon after, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Office disclosed it was storing another 5,000.
Click here to listen to the story.
How to Use Google Reader
If you haven’t already been using Google Reader, please read on to find out more about this tool. Google Reader, is useful tool that will help you stay connected to the work we do at CALCASA and that our members do on a daily basis.
Click here to learn more about Google Reader.
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