Debate Intensifies over New Death Row: Randy Dotinga for the CSM reports death penalty opponents are now opposing a proposal to move some of California's death row inmates to facilities outside San Quentin. Proponents argue San Quentin's intended expansion will cost $400 million unnecessarily since desert facilities could accomodate death row inmates. Opponents protest that lawyers, families, and activists will not have sufficient access to inmates if they are moved to the desert.

Tate Murderer Denied Compassionate Release: 39 years after participating in the gruesome Tate-LaBianca murders that left 7 people dead, Susan Atkins applied for compassionate release, citing a terminal illness. Atkins testified that when Sharon Tate pleaded for the life of her unborn child, Atkins "told her I didn't have mercy for her." Fittingly, the State has decided that life without parole means just that.

'Street Time' Part of Sentence for Parole Violators: According to Robert E. Pierre's story for the WA Post, the DC Council is considering a bill that would allow "street time" to count toward a parole violator's original sentence if their parole is revoked for a violation. 24 states currently allow credit for street time while 14 others allow discretion to choose whether street time should count.

Support Increasing for Anti-Gang Tax Plan: While opposition to the sales tax remains focused on the lagging economy, a new draft of the proposal will ensure that the proceeds remain in the counties where they are collected. The quarter-cent sales tax increase is intended to provide intervention and prevention for at-risk kids to combat the growing gang presence. According to Ed Fletcher's article for the Sac Bee, the provision to keep the revenue in county has garnered significant support from administrators.