The War on Drugs = A War on Women and Families
by the ACLU
June 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s declaration of a “war on drugs” – a war that has cost roughly a trillion dollars, has produced little to no effect on the supply of or demand for drugs in the United States, and has contributed to making America the world’s largest incarcerator. Throughout the month, check back daily for posts about the drug war, its victims and what needs to be done to restore fairness and create effective policy.
The “war on drugs” has had a devastating impact on women and families, who have been greatly affected by policies like mandatory minimum sentences, prosecution of low-level drug offenses, increased conviction and imprisonment of those with relationships to drug dealers, and criminalization of women with drug addiction and mental health problems and histories of sexual abuse.
Our biggest concern, up until last week, was that not enough people in this community knew that water rates would be tripling. That is no longer the case and I will extend appreciation to the Davis Enterprise for their coverage of the issue, particularly Crystal Lee’s story on the Prop 218 process and Jonathan Edwards’ coverage of the water rates.
AB 40 ensures law enforcement will know about crime in long-term care facilities 
Last week we noted the fact that the leadership in City Hall, the Department heads and Management, were by and large receiving as much if not more in salary than they were back in 2007. We argued that the city could save between 300 and 500 thousand dollars annually through a flat reduction in salary for those making over 87 thousand a year, who were either department heads or from the management group.
The trial of Tim Kinser began this week in Department 8 in front of Judge Janet Gaard. Mr. Kinser was accused of inflicting corporal injury upon his wife of the time, and endangering the health of their two young daughters. The incident occurred on July 31, 2010, at their Woodland residence.
A published report in yesterday’s Sacramento Bee suggested that the state has no idea how it will reduce 144 thousand inmates down to 133 thousand within five months.
Council Moves Forward With At-Grade Crossing Application –
University Claims This To Be An Old Database From 2003 That They Never Used – 
Voters have overwhelmingly voted down the last two peripheral projects in Davis. Meanwhile, they overwhelming voted to retain Measure J which requires a vote for the city to be able to develop land outside of the current boundaries as well as to change zoning from agricultural to urban uses.
The Contra Costa Times has a very interesting story on a California Supreme Court case that will decide whether Contra Costa prosecutors (and by extension all DA’s) should be required to run criminal background checks on police officers so defense attorneys can prepare to challenge their credibility before they are called as witnesses in court.
