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calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Gov. Gray Davis is a man of his word. Looking for the endorsement of the state's powerful and influential prison guards union in his 1998 run for governor, Davis apparently promised the correctional officers that, if elected, he'd do his best do eliminate five privately run prisons that the guards union wanted to kill.
The guards in turn backed his campaign, giving Davis a crucial law enforcement endorsement that helped persuade voters he was tough on crime. The union spent $2.3 million helping him get elected. And the guards dropped another $250,000 into the governor's campaign till a few weeks ago.
Now Davis, making good, is pushing to shut down those private prisons. And a lobbyist for the prison guards union -- the California Correctional Peace Officers Association -- was caught on a tape-recorded message crowing to union members about the governor's decision.
"As many of our members are aware, the whole concept of privatization has been a thorn in our side," lobbyist Jeff Thompson, who has since left the union, said on the message. "That move is appreciated. It does follow through with promises made by Gov. Davis in past years on this subject matter. So the governor \ a man of his word in that regard."