However, Shaver also said the group of officials got a mixed reception from the staff members on the state level, especially when talking about mitigation dollars if MCSP is expanded. Apparently some staff members were not familiar with additional mitigation monies the County could receive should MCSP be expanded. They also indicated that monies for such a thing are not available. Others however, were aware of Senator Cox’s insistence on extra mitigation dollars for the environmental affects state prisons are causing on local communities like ours. 

Supervisor Forster said he was unhappy with the contradictory message they received from the Governor’s office. “It had changed since our previous meeting with the…7 counties represented when Secretary Tilton was present. One staff member on the assembly side went so far as to say if Secretary Tilton wants to mitigate Amador county’s concerns then let him find the dollars. The governor’s staff members seemed to take the same line,” said Forster. “If they want to continue with expansion and not mitigate the impacts, I’ve had a discussion with Senator Cox already, we are going to vehemently oppose (it)…we want the impacts mitigated when they have not been in the past,” said Forster. Supervisor Novelli commented, “I think everybody down there that we met with got our message loud and clear.”