Legislative News:

Senator Romero's bill regarding the confidentiality of peace officer records, or lack thereof, was essentially defeated in overwhelming fashion when it failed to warrant a call for a vote in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.  While she called for transparency in public offices and cited the apparent availability of anybody in public to get Doctor's records of complaints (whether sustained or not), investigations against, discipline against, and any other records relating to their service, she seemed to be a little out of touch with what the public can and should be able to get.  Her rant in the committee hearing called for transparency in all public service officials, seemingly isolated to peace officers as her bill lacked transparency for legislators and other public servants.  This bill would allow the media to try officers in the public media spotlight with no oversight for truth. 

Although Keith Richman is no longer actually serving in official capacity in the state, he is nonetheless trying his best to again attack and cripple public employee retirement.  Again, he and his cohorts in crime seek to harm the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving everybody who lives, works or plays in California by cutting pension benefits up to 60%, eliminate pensions and health benefits for new employees, as well as eliminating health benefits if you get injured or sick and a forced to retire prior to full retirement age.  So, in a time where large cities are lowering their standards of yesteryear to try to fill the multi-hundred officer deficit, we have actual legislatures trying to make it easier for the press to persecute officers, and former legislatures making it harder for people to be able to safely retire from a dangerous and thankless career.  Richman's initiative was the same one that, in no uncertain terms, eliminated death benefits for safety employees killed in the line of duty.  Yes, Richman, this time backed by fellow public servant persecutors John Moorlach (Orange County Supervisor), and Ted Costa (Board of Equalization candidate) is back to punish public servants.  This attempt at punishing those who have dedicated their lives to public service in the way of public safety, it also attacks teachers, nurses, and other public servants.  The November 2007 issue of PORAC magazine has an extensive article on the effects of the 'new Richman initiative'. 

So when you are approached at the grocery stores by PAID employees (most are paid to get your signature), requesting your signature on ANY public pension, or when you are asked to support your public officials, make sure you have all of the facts about what you are truly supporting.  KEITH RICHMAN, JOHN MOORLACH, TED COSTA, and now GLORIA ROMERO have a ways to go to get the support of public safety employees, especially from our organization.  Please help support public employees, don't penalize them.