Check out this MUST READ recent article by Nigel Duara and Jeremia Kimelman in CalMatters: “Why California’s prison guard union is spending like never before on Gavin Newsom”

This article outlines egregious spending from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) to Governor Newsom to protect their interests. It also gives insights into why the Governor has yet to commit to closing more prisons — which could be rooted in his relationships with the CCPOA and/or fear around broader perceptions given his national political ambitions.

From the article: 

“Campaign finance records show the union largely stayed out of political fights during former Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration… 

Then Newsom took office, and the union’s pocketbook opened wide. 

There are two ways to look at that spending, according to interviews with legislators, labor leaders, former prison officials and budget watchdogs. 

In one, it’s a naked display of power: one of the richest unions in a labor-friendly state reminding its top politicians that it can spend with them — or against them. That’s primarily the view from outside the Capitol. 

In the other view, from inside the Capitol, it’s a reflection of the union’s anxiety in the face of waning influence as California’s future almost certainly includes fewer prisons and fewer union-represented prison guards to staff them. The numbers don’t lie: California is housing 70,000 fewer [incarcerated people] in state prisons than it did in 2011.”

Read the full story here: bit.ly/7-15cm