California State Assembly

State Sen. Pro Tempore Don Perata has said he welcomes a Republican push on fixing California's prison overcrowding problem, but feels there's a more broad solution than just building more prisons.

In a statement issued after Republicans called for support legislative support on a bill that would make it easier for new state prisons to be built, Perata welcomed the bill, SB 1705.

"In addition to building more beds, the population must be reduced," Perata said in the statement. "That is why Senate Democrats wrote reforms as part of our budget plan. The package would save the state $531 million and significantly reduce the prison population."

California State Senate and Assembly Republican leaders will have a press conference this morning to push their ideas for solving the state's prison overcrowding problems.

In a 10 a.m. press availability at the office of State Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), the GOP politicians will present a solution that is both comprehensive and fiscally responsible, according to a press advisory.

California State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) called Assemblywoman Nicole Parra's claims Friday about a lack of support from her party colleague in races "silly" and encouraged Kern County Democrats to come together.

In a press release issued hours after Parr (D-Hanford) had slammed her party and Florez specifically in a hastily assembled press conference in Bakersfield, Florez said he'd both endorsed and voted for Parra during her previous runs for Assembly.

"We may not always see eye to eye, but I have never endorsed or assisted any Republican to defeat her," Florez said in the press release. "With less than six months left in her term, I think Nicole's claims today are a sad attempt to remain relevant."