Posted on 09/16/2013 6:10:01 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul told community leaders in West Louisville on Monday that he will be stepping his call for federal reforms to criminal sentencing and pledging to support a state effort to restore felon voting rights.
Paul has been talking about the concept of reforms to mandatory minimums for several months, saying someone should not have to lose their rights for life for a youthful mistake.
But while appearing at a town-hall-like event at the Plymouth Community Renewal Center in West Louisville, Paul added a new layer to his argument saying that felon voting rights should be restored.
“As part of that, I’m also going to be introducing something to restore voting rights for people who were convicted of felonies but have not been convicted again for 5 years,” Paul said.
However, Kentucky would need to have it’s own voting restoration legislation, something that some lawmakers, led by Louisville and Lexington House and Senate Democrats, have tried unsuccessfully to pass in previous sessions
Paul said he’s going to do what it takes to speak to state Senate Republican leaders.
Paul also talked with west Louisville residents about tax problems including tax liens and economic freedom zones in which taxes would be lowered to try to encourage business in the area.
(With video by Nick Storm)
(Excerpt) Read more at mycn2.com ...
Merle Haggard
It is way past the time to reconsider what crimes deserve incarceration and for how long. The primary factor is justice, but a strong secondary factor is the sheer cost both in capital for prison, and the ongoing costs to the state for staff and the O & M of the prison. Then there is the lost wages of the criminal.
For convicts who have served their full sentences and made any required restitution, If we don’t let them rejoin society with no attached stigma doesn’t it reduce the liklyhood that they will be able to transition into productive, contributing law abiding citizens?
Just asking.
i thought that was what obama has been doing to us
I would say that stealing a car should be a felony, and a shooting offense. Disagree with that if you want.
No disagreement here!
Sen. Paul is making it much easier for me to vote for Ted Cruz, if he decides to run in 2016.
Cruz will probably give a speech tomorrow in favor of the same position. He’s been following on Rand’s footsteps since he got to the senate.
“convicted of felonies but have not been convicted again for 5 years”
That’s the way it is here in Texas. They can also have a gun
in their home or stationary place of business. I don’t see
anyone being disarmed here.
It must be up to the States and that is where it should be decided as the Pauls would naturally support. In this, not sure why Senator Rand is speaking about it, I’ll reread the article. Thank you for your response.
Okay, per my previous post, he’s speaking about legislation in Kentucky. That’s the level of government where this decision-making should be dealt with.
“Youthful mistakes like, oh, wilding, arson, vandalism during participation in a riot, burglary, armed robbery... I mean, really, who among us hasn’t done those things?!? /s”
You forgot “nonviolent and or victimless crimes”.
Smearing Rand Paul Alert?
Keep in mind that cutting off a shotgun barrel 1/2” too short is a felony, as are many drug offenses.
The focus should also be on making fewer crimes felonies to start with. But this is a good start.
Looks like it’s an issue at the State level. He is serving his constituency. I would think that would be the duty of a U.S. Senator to address issues in his home state ever so often.
Ah, an excellent plan! Every county with a state prison located in it will now have the luxury of a county sheriff and judges elected at least in part by convicted felons. How pleasant.
“Why is Rand even messing with this?”
I dunno. Maybe because it’s the right thing to do?
“Focus, Rand, Focus”
Thank you for that. Rand must be a complete flake.
“Armed Robbery I’m not sure about.”
That’s the thing I don’t understand. If these crimes are so grave and we’re so concerned that we can’t let these felons vote or own a gun, then why are they out of prison in the first place? Or better, why weren’t they swinging at the end of a rope?
You do have a point, and I was hasty with the headline.
With 14, 13, days to go, our voices need to be well placed toward heading off a national disaster.
Even if it means avoiding town hall meetings on pot holes, taxation and felons voting privileges. Just sayin’.
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