The Taxpayers Association kicked off the month of August with El Dorado District Attorney Vern Pierson. Pierson, who also serves as President of the California District Attorneys Association, began his presentation by showing a video of Governor Gavin Newsom answering journalist questions about criminal justice policies. Citing Newsom’s assertion that prosecutors still have adequate ability to charge crimes, Pierson said it appears that Governor was deceived like California voters by biased ballot measure language in Proposition 47 and Proposition 57. The consequence, Pierson said, is that California has “a tolerance for violence and a tolerance for lawlessness that is really unacceptable”. El Dorado County is no exception, he said, as crime rates are increasing although at a lower rate than urban areas of the state.
Pierson also answered questions on topics such as his office’s involvement in protecting citizens’ rights to participate in their government via the Public Records Act and Brown Act, and how voters can become more knowledgeable about judicial candidates that appear on their ballots. Watch the full meeting here.
Photo credit John Albano
