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March 26, 2009

Paterson, Legislators Agree on Drug Law Repeal
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Here in New York, Governor David Paterson and state lawmakers have
reached a deal on further undoing the draconian Rockefeller drug laws.
The agreement would repeal an unknown number of mandatory minimum prison
sentences for low-level drug crimes and grant judges discretion to order
treatment rather than prison time. The measure also calls for a $50
million expansion to drug courts and treatment programs. It’s unclear,
however, how many prisoners would be able to apply to have their
sentences commuted. Paterson was once arrested for protesting the
Rockefeller drug laws. But according to reports, he’s seeking to limit
the number of prisoners eligible to apply for commutation.



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