Sacramento --- Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Assemblymember Anna Caballero, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention, today issued the following statement regarding Gov. Schwarzenegger’s announcement of an anti-gang initiative:

“We appreciate the governor taking steps in both the May Revise and with his announcement today to focus attention on the problems of gangs and youth violence.  The problem is widespread in California, affecting communities in virtually every corner of the state.”

“We are concerned that the governor’s program emphasizes

expensive gang suppression strategies, while short-changing more effective and affordable violence prevention and intervention strategies such as early childhood education, after-school and literacy programs, and job training.

“The governor’s proposal also stops short of proposing significant new investment in anti-gang programs.  Most of the funding is included in the May Revise to the budget, which the Assembly Budget Committee has already acted to approve -- and in some cases, augment.  Examples include:

• Grants to local communities.  The governor’s $7 million proposal was increased by the Assembly to $9 million, and the uses expanded to emphasize prevention and intervention programs. 

• Job training.  The governor’s proposed $2.8 million was increased to $3.6 million.

“The Assembly Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention has recently held hearings in Los Angeles and Salinas, focused on developing a “tool-kit” of highly effectively solutions that communities can use to prevent and reduce youth violence.  The tool-kit will also contain recommendations for the Legislature and the administration on steps the state can take to aide communities in achieving these goals.  A third hearing of the committee is schedule for Friday, June 1, in Oakland, at the Oakland Port Building.”

“We look forward to working with the Senate through the budget conference committee and with the governor to ensure that California’s anti-gang efforts are focused on prevention and intervention, as well as the more costly suppression activities.”