State Republican Lawmakers Push For Bail Reform Changes In The Budget


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ALBANY, NY (WENY) – It’s budget week in Albany beginning March 28th. New York Republican lawmakers, Law enforcement, and Prosecutors gathered in the state’s capital on Monday morning to have their voices heard.

They are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and Legislators to fix bail reform Republicans said.





“As many of you know trying to get some change to the bail laws most likely will only happen if we get it in the state budget and doing this today, Monday, March 28th is particularly timely and we want to work with anybody that is willing to work with us to try to get this change in the budget,” Leader of the Republic Conference Will Barclay said.

They say while there are not advocating for a complete change however there are problems with the law that need to be fixed.  Republican leaders want Hochul and Legislative leaders to reverse what they say is failed criminal justice policies.

“It is possible to structure a balanced approach that protects the rights of the accused with the rights of the public to feel safe in their own communities.”





















Republicans also say too much time has passed and now is the time to strengthen public protection and restore safety in the 2022-23 state budget.

“They need to be fixed now. The problems continue, they persist and that it is why we are here today to ask that the Assembly Senate and Governor consider these changes in an open conversation in the budget process,” Washington County, DA Tony Jordan said.

Republicans explain the state needs to get a grip on out-of-control crime and say they will not stop talking about this until the state addresses the importance of public safety.

“We can’t stop talking about it because it’s not going away. New Yorkers of all ethnicity in all communities they’re talking about it, they’re worried every day there’s a new video a new report a new victim,} Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt said.









Law enforcement officials were also in attendance rallying behind restoring public safety and keeping New York streets safe.

“The changes to New York bail created an almost insurmountable standard for judges to consider anything other than release. Sheriff’s have been stalwart on this matter the original bail reform initiated while well-intentioned was a drastic over-correction and for the past several years we’ve been dealing with the fallout,” Sheriff Kevin Mullverhill Franklin County Sheriff and First Vice President of New York State Sheriff’s Association said.

Back in January Republican lawmakers introduced their Take Back New York Plan a new anti-crime bill to directly address failed and dangerous policies of the past they say.

Related Story: NY Republican lawmakers propose new anti-crime bill regarding bail reform

They are continuing to push for bail reform changes to be included in this weeks’ state budget negotiations with the final budget due Friday, April 1.

Advocates representing a broad coalition of communities and lawmakers also gathered at the state capitol to call on elected leaders to follow the evidence on reforms and resist calls for rollbacks.

At the same time, advocates and legislators will speak out in support of the Impact-Based Ten-Point Plan for Public Safety released by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. Their ten-point plan details are listed below.

  1. Improve mental health services
  2. Invest in youth programs
  3. Expand community violence interruption programs
  4. Decrease subway and bus wait times
  5. Improve access to education in high-risk communities
  6. Provide school social workers & psychologists
  7. Reduce homelessness and housing instability
  8. Invest in community revitalization
  9. Expand the use of diversion programs and restorative justice
  10. Reduce recidivism

 

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