Legislative Work News

Some "Smart on Crime" Reforms that are Working
Necessitated by harsh economic times and encouraged by declines in crime rates, a number of states have made significant strides in reducing the number of people in prisons and jails and cutting spending while maintaining public safety.
Oregon's Political Landscape
Start to the sentencing reform discussions. Went back over the 2009 Safety and Savings Act. The ugly and misleading political ads that ran around Measure 57.
Considerable Common Ground: Collaborating to Create Safety
Crime Victims and Survivors want to ensure that what happened to them does not happen to another. We discuss the opposition of Measure 73 and what PSJ brought forth to the legislative session in support of Alternative ways to increase public safety.
Oregon's 2011 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
In early 2011 we participated in the Legislation Sessions. We had VICTORY'S : HB 2707, ODSVS, HEAL Oregon help maintain funding for Addiction Treatment, and HB 2650: Addiction & Mental Health Workers w/Conviction histories return to work
Crime Victims Urge: Services Not Sentences
PSJ and several crime victims and victim advocates gathered at the state capitol on May 31 at a press conference to ask for a different approach to public safety spending. The message delivered was clear: crime victims have not been served well by Oregon's ever-increasing prison spending. (KTVZ)
Oregon taxpayers will spend $1.3 billion on prisons -- and it won't be enough
Oregon is spending more money than ever on the state prison system, but it won't be enough. And the state will be adding nearly 1,500 prisoners over the next four years. PSJ thinks spending more on prison cells while cutting programs that can prevent crime is the wrong approach.
There are better ways to use Measure 57 funds than on prisons
The Klamath Falls newspaper, Herald and News, gets it right. They are calling on legislators to continue to delay implementation of Measure 57 for two more years and spend the money saved in much wiser ways.
Oregonian Editorial: Locking in prison spending
Oregon lawmakers face up to hard budget decisions on health care and schools, but leave corrections costs on an unwise, unsustainable trajectory, says the Oregonian Editorial Board.
Youth agency is spared
Oregon's most troubled youths have been spared severe cuts in state services meant to turn them into successful citizens. Legislative budget writers this week decided against digging too deep into the Oregon Youth Authority's budget, allowing it to keep all but about 50 beds.
Bill keeps kids out of adult jail
The Oregon Senate passed a House bill May 9 that will keep juveniles out of adult jail while awaiting trial. HB 2707 now goes to the governor for his signature. (Eugene Weekly)