NCJ Number
72753
Date Published
1979
Length
58 pages
Annotation
The impact of Proposition 13 on local criminal justice agencies in California is reported for 1978 through 1980.
Abstract
Over 60 percent of the property tax revenues that were the predominant source of support for the State's criminal justice agencies were eliminated with the passage of Proposition 13 on June 6, 1978. As part of a study of the bill's impact, the State's Office of Criminal Justice Planning collected data through a questionnaire which was sent to all 574 municipal police agencies, sheriffs, district attorneys, public defenders, probation departments, and local correctional facilities. Information was sought on changes in personnel levels, operating budgets, and programs for the fiscal years 1977-78, 1978-79, and 1979-80. Responses were obtained from 56.5 percent of the agencies serving 86.2 percent of the statewide population. An analysis revealed a pronounced reduction in both expenditures and personnel levels in the year following the bill's passage, compared to continued increases during the previous 9 to 10 years. Aggregate local criminal justice budget expenditures during fiscal year 1978-79 were two-thirds of 1 percent higher than in 1977-78; total personnel dropped one-third of 1 percent. However, inflation also reduced the purchasing power of budget dollars, while crime rates continued to increase. Anticipated total spending for fiscal year 1979-80 will increase about 6 percent, and total staffing will be reduced almost 2 percent. Data tables, appendixes containing study methodologly and information on the questionnaire, and a list of respondents are included.