Headlines for Friday, March 27, 2009

NY’s strict Rockefeller drug laws see reform
Thirty years ago New York introduced the nation’s harshest mandatory prison terms for drug offenses, but today state lawmakers announced an agreement to ease draconian sentencing laws for the possession or sale of small amounts of drugs. Renee Feltz has the details:
Marking a profound shift in policy, New York state lawmakers said it is better to view drug addiction as a hazard to public health. Governor David Patterson:

“What we’re going to do now, is when people are addicted and have committed crimes because of their addiction, we’re going to shift our services from punishment to treatment.”
Patterson announced legislation that gives judges discretion to send first and second time non-violent offenders to treatment programs. The deal also scales back mandatory prison terms for low-level, non-violent drug offenders.  Lawmakers joining Patterson said the move could cut costs from 500 million dollars a year for incarceration to about 80 million dollars for treatment.   Advocates for stronger reform say fiscal considerations shouldn’t drive reform of a failed policy. They continue to call for further sentencing reform.  Renee Feltz.  FSRN.  New York

Protesters upset over VT governor’s plan to veto same-sex marriage bill
In Vermont today, hundreds gathered at the state house to protest the Governor’s plan to veto a same-sex marriage bill.  Last week the legislation passed through the state’s Senate with ease, but lawmakers may not have enough support to overturn Republican governor Jim Douglas’ veto.  Similar legislation passed the New Hampshire house yesterday and is waiting for consideration by the Senate.  New Hampshire’s governor says he would veto same-sex marriage legislation, even though he supported civil unions last year.

‘Cash for Kids’ sentences overturned
Last month a court sentenced two county judges in Pennsylvania to seven years in jail for taking millions in kickbacks in exchange for sending youth to privately run juvenile detention centers.   And now the Pennsylvania Supreme court has overturned more than 1000 of the judges’ juvenile court convictions.  Many of the youth were originally jailed for minor shoplifting offenses and practical jokes.  The Supreme Court overturned and even expunged some convictions because an investigation found many of the youth were not given any legal advice.

Fargo residents evacuate ahead of record floods
Many Fargo residents fled their homes today as the Red River broke a century-old flood record.  A leaking levee near the city caused the River to overflow its banks.  Officials have evacuated more than 100 homes around the city.  The Red River is also causing flooding downstream in Winnipeg, Canada.

Indonesian dam breech kills dozens
Before dawn this morning, a dam near the Indonesian capitol burst, killing at least 50 people.  The rush of water from the breech has been compared to a “small tsunami.”   Hundreds of houses are still underwater.

Thai protesters block government
For the second day in a row, protesters in Bangkok from the UDD, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, have crowded the capitol grounds in Thailand.  This latest rally is evidence of the continuing impasse between rural voters who backed the populist policies of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra who is now in exile… and Bangkok's royalist and business elite, who back the current prime minister.  Claudia Cragg reports.

Known locally as 'the Red Shirts', 20,000 pro-Thaksin United Front of Democracy protesters marched in Bangkok today calling for a new national election.  They cried 'Abhisit get out!' – referring to current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.  These latest protesters are -- politically -- diametrically opposed to those who held Thailand's main airport under siege late last year.   UDD leaders accuse the current PM of being "a pawn of the military.”  UDD supporters began their protest yesterday near the Grand Palace, blocking politicians from entering the Government House.  The Government has deployed an estimated 10,000 police and soldiers, but demonstrators say they plan further protests at other key locations.  Claudia Cragg.  Free Speech Radio News.