Is ER Back From The Grave?
Posted in: Electronic Recording
Rumors have surfaced and now COCRA lobbyists have confirmed that the Governor has given the Big 5 Budget Committee an unpublished list of over 40 demanded cuts, which includes implementation of ER in our California courts.
The Governor continues to claim an unrealistic savings, far and above that supported by either the Legislative Analyst’s Office or the Department of Finance.
Now the good news. Both Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg continue to steadfastly support court reporters and continue to reject electronic recording. COCRA lobbyist Shane Gusman tells us that, “Leadership considers this a nonstarter and a dead issue.”
The Big 5 Committee has a difficult job under intense pressure from the Governor to meet his agenda and make deep cuts. They deserve our support.
Please write the legislative members of the Big 5 and tell them that you appreciate their continued support of an accurate and cost-efficient record. Let them know that the court reporters understand their difficult position and that’s why it is even more significant that they are on our side and recognize that ER just won’t work for California. A sample letter and FAX numbers appear below.
Also, let your local legislative representatives from your district know that you need them to stand up for justice and court reporters when it comes time for them to vote on the budget.
Here is a link you can use to find your legislative member:
If your member has voted to support reporters in the past, be sure to tell them that you appreciate their support; if not, thank them for their time and attention to the court reporter issues and ask them to examine COCRA’s Preserving Access to Justice Task Force report by clicking on this link.
ADDRESSES AND FAX NUMBERS FOR LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF BIG FIVE COMMITTEE
Assembly Speaker: Karen Bass (Democrat)
1303 10th Street, Room 219
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-2047
Fax: (916) 319-2147
Assembly Minority Leader: Sam Blakeslee (Republican)
State Capitol, Room 3104
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-319-2033
Fax: 916-319-2133
Senate President pro tempore: Darrell Steinberg (Democrat)
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4006
Fax: (916) 323-2263
Senate Minority Leader: Dennis Hollingsworth (Republican)
State Capitol, Room 305
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4036
Fax: (916) 447-9008
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear_____________:
My name is _____________ and I am a certified shorthand reporter working in the ___________County Superior Court. (Feel free to insert optional personal information e.g. reporter for how long, etc.)
I am writing to you to thank you for your past support in keeping electronic/digital recording out of the court system in California and to encourage you to continue in this effort, as I am aware that the
implementation of electronic recording is still on the Governor’s list of budget proposals.
I understand you have some hard decisions to make in the coming days. I encourage you to make wise and well-informed decisions based on fact, not on “projections” that cannot be substantiated. The legislature has been provided with up-to-date reports that are fact/data based showing that the certified shorthand reporter is still the most cost-effective and accurate method of providing the necessary transcripts that the judiciary needs to make life-altering decisions.
Thank you for your continuing support and commitment to California’s court system and its official court reporters.
HELP SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS IN THE LEGISLATURE!
We THANK YOU one and all for your support and rallying to help defeat the Electronic Recording proposal.
Please remember to contact your local representatives. Volunteer your time to your local COCRA representative. Organize a phone bank and contact your local legal community to make them aware.
Every effort must be made NOW.
And please make any Legislative Fund donation you are able to make. ALL of your COCRA Legislative Fund donations go directly to lobbying efforts, communications and research to help protect and advance your interests at the legislative level. They are not used for any other peripheral activities or expenses.
You can make a legislative support donation in four easy ways:
1. Contact your COCRA District Representative.
2. If you want to pay by check, you can mail it to COCRA at One Capitol Mall,
3. Suite 320, Sacramento, CA 95814, and note on it “Fight ER!”
4. Use your credit card by calling COCRA at (916) 448-5106 to make a “Fight ER!” donation.
5. If you want to pay by credit card, you can do it online at COCRA’s website. On the membership application page, you need only to fill in your name and address information at the top, then select the amount of the legislative donation you want to make. Check that the address is the same as above and fill in the rest of the credit card information.
We need your continued support! Thank you – The COCRA Team
Posted on July 8th, 2009 by admin
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