State budget cuts may weaken Baca's threat to close a jail

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has been locked in a budget battle with county supervisors in recent weeks, threatening to close a jail and release prisoners early if he is forced to cut $25 million from his $2.5-billion budget.

Sound familiar?

Baca made similar threats seven years ago when county supervisors -- faced with a recession and statewide budget crunch as they are now -- demanded he cut $70 million from his $1.6-billion budget. The same tactic was employed by his predecessor, Sheriff Sherman Block, in 1995.

Whether the pressure will work this time is not yet clear, as county supervisors weigh their finances against looming cuts from Sacramento.

Baca tried in 2002 to use the specter of closing Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood and releasing inmates early to persuade county supervisors to place a half-cent sales tax for law enforcement on the ballot. He called news conferences, packed supervisors' meetings and drew criticism from judges and prosecutors.

In the end, the supervisors gave Baca more time to repay $12.7 million he had borrowed from the county after spending beyond his budget the year before, but they balked at raising taxes or releasing revenues.

Over the next four years, Baca made good on his threats. He shuttered jails and released nearly 200,000 inmates early, the vast majority after they had served no more than 10% of their sentences.

This time, Baca said, it should be different. The county has more than $190 million in utility tax revenues and can afford to help, the sheriff said.

"That's different than what happened in 2002," Baca said. "In 2002, everyone was under the gun: They were, I was, the state and all local government. This recession has creeped up on us a different way and the county has been prudent in creating a substantial reserve, which we didn't have last time."

Although the county has healthy reserves, county leaders have been cutting back in recent weeks as they brace for massive statewide cuts to health and social services. County supervisors passed a budget last month that required 7% to 15% cuts by all departments. Several departments are still trying to fill millions of dollars in budget shortfalls, including public health and health services.

Baca holds elective office, making his position unusual among county department heads. Although supervisors approve his budget, they have little power over how he spends or cuts.