But they are prisoners.
Looks like Camarillo will be the site of a large prison hospital because of a federal decree governing the health care of prisoners.
I guess some people are getting universal health care without paying for it.
State Assembly Member Audra Strickland will be holding a town hall forum on the subject Thursday night. Will any of you be attending? The court appointed administrator said he would not be going nor would he be sending staff. Report back what Assembly Member Strickland has to say.
So, Camarillo citizens what do you think? Are you trying to look at the silver lining which includes construction jobs building the new hospital and staff once it is opened? What is the target date for opening?
I think the best quote in the entire article is this sentence:
Strickland cited a critical May 22 review of Kelso's plans by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, which found the need for all the proposed facilities has not been justified, that operational questions are unaddressed and that the costs appear to be overstated.
It is a rare day when a government says cost is overstated. Seems like anything government does always comes in above the quoted price.
Remember the Big Dig? What about the Medicare Bill where the Bush Administration pressured people to keep the real price from congress in an effort to ensure it passing congress?
Now imagine what happens if this project is over budget!
UPDATE: Assembly Member Audra Strickland's town hall was very well attended. Read this article to see the next phase.
Will the prisoners count in a census as far as redistricting?
Are any unions supporting it or the Chambers of Commerce because of the jobs that would be added?
It's out of legislators' hands
As noted, the state has shown "a willful failure" to deal with the prison overcrowding and the prisoner healthcare debacle. The Senate and Assembly, including Audra Strickland, have repeatedly failed to deal with this issue.
Due to their repeated negligence they have waived the right to be involved in the decisions of federal receiver J. Clark Kelso and federal Judge Thelton Henderson. Voters should recognize that due to their failure, our elected legislators have no authority is this matter. Meeting with any legislator on this issue is a waste of time.
-- Sherman N. Mullin, Oxnard
If I am wrong on any facts here please correct me.
Let me get this straight. The legislature, which Audra Strickland is a member of messed up by allowing such poor prison conditions that prisoners rights of protection from cruel and unusual punishment were abused to such a point a federal judge took over when the legislature refused to act and follow the constitution.
Now that the state lost and must follow the constitution she isn't arguing for the state to meet its duty but instead asking the federal government to do it some place else?
Like where?
Where would the assembly member like it to be done locally? By the Reagan Library in the Green Belt area? Maybe by the landfill? Where exactly should the prisoners be treated at?
I don't see anything at all happening for her efforts except some media coverage. Is she going to file a successful lawsuit?
Then what? Will she vote for cuts to education, higher taxes, or some other way to pay for prisoner health?
I agree with the previous posters - all Audra is doing is gaining some free earned media for her campaign bid. She didn't do what she needed to do when she had a chance (as usual).