Abner
09-14-2004, 04:28 PM
Prop 66 is on the ballot this fall, which will sharply cut back the use of "three strikes" in criminal prosecutions. If this passes, we should avoid life sentences for stealing pizza.
So, if you can, get out and vote. If you have a loved on inside on three strikes, this probably won't help them immediately. But a win might make the state willing to change sentences in the future if enough people complain about it (and if the money troubles get worse or don't improve).
abner
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[from MSN.COM]
LOS ANGELES - The effort to pass a ballot measure that would tone down California's tough "three strikes" sentencing law has received three $150,000 donations from some of the nation's largest backers of Democrat-oriented political groups.
International financier George Soros, insurance magnate Peter Lewis and private university founder John Sperling each gave $150,000 to help pass Proposition 66, according to campaign finance records. The contributions were received Friday.
In a written release, the "The Yes on 66 -- Fix Three Strikes" campaign said the $450,000 came via the Drug Policy Alliance Network, a national drug-law reform organization.
The proposition's backers argue that the three-strikes law unjustly ensnares small-time users with lifetime sentences. They want the stiff sentencing guidelines to apply only to people convicted of "serious or violent" felonies such as rape and murder -- what they call the "original intent" of voters who passed the original law a decade ago.
Proponents said the donations would finance a "a vigorous media campaign," starting later in the week.
Opponents point out that drug users are only eligible for the harshest sentences if they have prior felony convictions and argue that Proposition 66 would release thousands of predatory criminals onto streets the current law has made safer.
Lewis, chairman of the board of the suburban Cleveland-based insurer Progressive Corp., and Soros are political contribution regulars who have donated millions this election cycle to Democratic-leaning causes. Sperling is founder of the University of Phoenix.
Yes66.org (http://www.yes66.org/)
Threestrikes.org (http://www.threestrikes.org/)
Latest Donors (http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/)
So, if you can, get out and vote. If you have a loved on inside on three strikes, this probably won't help them immediately. But a win might make the state willing to change sentences in the future if enough people complain about it (and if the money troubles get worse or don't improve).
abner
+++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++
[from MSN.COM]
LOS ANGELES - The effort to pass a ballot measure that would tone down California's tough "three strikes" sentencing law has received three $150,000 donations from some of the nation's largest backers of Democrat-oriented political groups.
International financier George Soros, insurance magnate Peter Lewis and private university founder John Sperling each gave $150,000 to help pass Proposition 66, according to campaign finance records. The contributions were received Friday.
In a written release, the "The Yes on 66 -- Fix Three Strikes" campaign said the $450,000 came via the Drug Policy Alliance Network, a national drug-law reform organization.
The proposition's backers argue that the three-strikes law unjustly ensnares small-time users with lifetime sentences. They want the stiff sentencing guidelines to apply only to people convicted of "serious or violent" felonies such as rape and murder -- what they call the "original intent" of voters who passed the original law a decade ago.
Proponents said the donations would finance a "a vigorous media campaign," starting later in the week.
Opponents point out that drug users are only eligible for the harshest sentences if they have prior felony convictions and argue that Proposition 66 would release thousands of predatory criminals onto streets the current law has made safer.
Lewis, chairman of the board of the suburban Cleveland-based insurer Progressive Corp., and Soros are political contribution regulars who have donated millions this election cycle to Democratic-leaning causes. Sperling is founder of the University of Phoenix.
Yes66.org (http://www.yes66.org/)
Threestrikes.org (http://www.threestrikes.org/)
Latest Donors (http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/)