BILLS TO BATTLE DRUGS, BOOST FOSTER CARE PASS

SACRAMENTO Bills by Kern County lawmakers to create a special task force to
battle methamphetamine makers in the San Joaquin Valley and raise the pay of
foster care providers have passed the Assembly.

The anti-drug bill sponsored by Assemblyman Dean Florez, D-Shafter, would
authorize a nine-county Central Valley Methamphetamine Task Force first
suggested last month by Gov. Gray Davis.

Davis included $300,000 in his proposed budget to fund the task force,
essentially a program of coordinating existing law enforcement efforts to
focus more heavily on battling manufacture and sale of the illegal drug in
the valley. Law enforcement officials say much of the methamphetamine sold
in California originates in the region.

Florez originally called for more than $5 million a year in funding for the
task force, but had to settle for the money included by Davis in the budget.

The measure was approved unanimously by the Assembly late Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, bills by Assemblyman Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, to raise the
rates paid to foster care parents and foster care group homes easily passed
the Assembly, also unanimously.

"I think abused and neglected children need all the help we can provide
them," Ashburn said.

All three bills now move to the Senate for further consideration.