Dino on Public Safety:

Claim:Dino Rossi wrote the budget that cut millions from supervising felons.

Fact: As chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2003, Dino Rossi worked with Governor Gary Locke and members of both parties to a pass a bipartisan, balanced budget in the face of the largest dollar deficit in state history. The budget was passed by the Democratic-controlled House and signed by Democratic Governor Locke. 

SB 5990 was sponsored by Senator Jim Hargrove (D- Hoquiam) and passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support. The bill added $46 million more in funding than Gov. Locke’s original proposal. The bill changed the maximum earned released time for non-violent offenders from 33 percent to 50 percent of their sentence. It also reduced the possibility of early prison release for violent felons who had earned good behavior.

Claim: Rossi opposed funding for a commitment center for sex predators.

Fact: The ad doesn’t provide a source for this baseless claim. Perhaps it’s talking about the sex predator housing that in 2003 the Department of Social and Health Services was planning to locate in Rossi’s district when he was a State Senator.  He opposed the site because it was located near a camp for children.

Claim:  Gregoire’s ad says she’s been endorsed by “every major police and law enforcement group.”

Fact :    Gregoire has been endorsed by state law enforcement lobbying groups, but Dino Rossi has earned the endorsements of rank-and-file law enforcement organizations from across the state including:

• King County Police Officers Guild
• Renton Police Officers Guild
• Kitsap County Deputy Sheriffs Guild
• The Port Orchard Police Association
• Skamania County Law Enforcement Guild
• Lakewood Police Officers Guild
• Richland Police Officers Benefit Association

Fact : While serving in the State Senate from 1997 to 2003, Dino spearheaded a number of bills to improve public safety including:

• The “Mary Johnsen Act” – requiring ignition interlock devices on vehicles of chronic DUI offenders;
• The “Dane Rempfer Bill” – punishing drivers who flee the scene of an accident; and
• The “Two Strikes and You’re Out” law – sending criminals who rape and molest children to jail for life after their second conviction.

Fact : Click here to view Dino’s vision for improving public safety.

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