Reno’s spokesman Carl Stern says staff shortages have held up the bill, and insists the A.G. is not against funding more police: “That’s 180 degrees off the known facts.” He says Reno believes mandatory sentencing fills prison space better used for the most violent criminals. A top White House official admits “some problems” with Reno on the crime bill, but predicts that the measure, including cop funding, will be introduced “soon.”
