FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, October 26th, 2004

Contact: Sandy Harrison, cell 916/ 996-2406; Mark Capitolo, cell 916/ 267-8894

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER
HAS THE FACTS WRONG

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has his facts wrong in a televised commercial opposing Proposition 66, the Fix Three Strikes initiative.
 
"We're disappointed in the Governor for repeating bogus arguments that have been repeatedly proven to be patently false," said Yes on 66 spokesman Joe Klaas. "Proposition 66 keeps violent criminals in prison where they belong, provides appropriate sentences for lesser offenders, and saves taxpayers billions of dollars. It's a needed, common-sense reform."
 
In the ad, Schwarzenegger says, "26,000 dangerous criminals will be released from prison," a statement that independent analysts have repeatedly debunked.  A Sacramento Superior Court judge ordered that statement off the ballot argument, calling it "patently false" and "mathematically impossible."
 
Schwarzenegger also wrongly states that child molesters, rapists, and murderers are among those who'd be released. In fact, Proposition 66 releases none of those people and increases penalties for crimes against children.
 
The non-partisan legislative analyst, the non-partisan legislative counsel, and many other legal experts have repeatedly stated that only third strikers doing life sentences for non-violent crimes may seek resentencing and might have their sentences shortened by Proposition 66. No one serving time for a violent crime will have their sentence shortened. Not one rapist or murderer will be released.