Murder. BART and CSU Peace Officers. Legislative Initiative Amendment.
	Rebuttal to Argument Against Proposition 19

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

Those making the argument against Proposition 19 apparently do not understand its provisions. Proposition 19 has absolutely nothing to do with expanding police powers to form a posse or carry concealed weapons when off duty. Police officers throughout the state, including CSU and BART police, already have that authority.

Proposition 19 simply asks the voters of California to approve a portion of a bill, passed by the legislature with bi-partisan support in 1998, that makes the murder of CSU and BART police subject to the same penalties as the murder of other police officers.

The Legislature recognized that CSU police and BART police face the same day-to-day dangers as other police officers, and overwhelmingly approved this amendment. There was no opposition to this proposal as it passed through the legislative process. In fact, even the opposition argument above supports this proposition; it states, "Indeed, BART police, University of California police and California State University police should be treated the same as other police officers."

Proposition 19 accomplishes just that purpose. It amends Section 190 of the Penal Code to make enhanced sentences for second degree murder of California police officers throughout the state apply equally for second degree murder of CSU and BART police officers.

Please vote YES on Proposition 19.

RICHARD RAINEY
State Senator, 7th Senatorial District

THOMAS BLALOCK
Vice-President, BART Board of Directors

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