It’s the second day of the special session and RESET Louisiana urges lawmakers to make thoughtful decisions on crime instead of backpedaling on reform. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Governor Jeff Landry laid out his blueprint on how to make Louisiana a safer state as a special session on crime is underway. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana is in the process of answering Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for assistance at the southern border. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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RESET Louisiana cautions the House and Senate against reversing 2017 criminal justice reforms in the crime special session. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says data shows current reforms that focus on non-violent offenders are working.
Cut 4 (11) “…go away.”
Under former Governor Edwards’ leadership, ten bills aimed at criminal justice reform were passed with bipartisan support that was credited to helping drop Louisiana’s imprisonment rate from one to two in the nation.
Erwin says the concern is that nonviolent offenders can be pulled into the same category as violent offenders in these tough-on-crime policy proposals. He says lawmakers should consider actions proven to work that reduce crime.
Cut 5 (12) “…safety opportunities.”
During this special session, legislators will consider restricting parole eligibility and restricting and repealing good time earned for inmates.
Erwin says little evidence exists to show that imprisoning criminals with longer sentences reduces crime. He points out that if lawmakers decide to roll back reforms it could cost the state and taxpayers millions.
Cut 6 (13) “…the population.”
RESET Louisiana is a nonpartisan effort led by the Committee of 100, CABL, and PAR.
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Governor Jeff Landry tells the Louisiana Legislature that it’s time to end the criminal-minded element destroying Louisiana. On the opening day of the special session, Landry laid out his agenda for the crime-fighting special session. Early in his speech, he spoke about his desire to restart executions of death row inmates…
Cut 7 (08) “…these families”
Landry supports a bill that would shield from the public the names of drug companies that provide chemicals to carry out a lethal injection. He also wants to expand the methods for executing to include the electric chair and Nitrogen hypoxia.
Landry says he’s heard a lot of criticism from prosecutors, judges, and others about the leniency of sentencing. He says right now up to 70-percent of a sentence may be removed for good time and the good time requires no effort of the inmate to participate in educational, job training or rehabilitation services…
Cut 8 (06) “…for jail.”
Landry also wants to see lawmakers approve a bill that results in stronger penalties for convicted carjackers. He’s calling for the minimum jail time to increase from two to five years and a minimum of 20 years if the victim is seriously hurt physically. He had this message for a person looking to carjack a vehicle…
Cut 9 (11) “…in jail.”
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Louisiana has agreed to send National Guard troops to Texas to assist with the southern border. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Jacques Thibodeaux says they’ve officially received the request from Governor Greg Abbott via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
Cut 10 (11) “…moving forward.”
Thibodeaux says Governor Abbott’s emergency request is for military support of 50 soldiers at one time for three 30-day iterations, which is 150 guardsmen over 90 days.
Cut 11 (11) “…general support.”
In his own law enforcement experience with the US Marshals Office in New Orleans, Thibodeaux says criminal activity often goes together with illegal immigration and an unsecured border presents a terroristic threat. He says helping Texas secure the border is vital to Louisiana and the country.
Cut 12 (06) “…contribute to.”
Louisiana guardsmen will assist the Lone Star state with security points, roving patrols, and engineering operations along its 1,250 miles of border with Mexico.
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As Republican Governor Jeff Landry’s special session to focus on crime convenes, the House Democratic Caucus says they too are also committed to addressing crime, yet they were not involved in drafting legislation. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says while the governor refers to victims of crime…
Cut 13 (10) “…communities safer.”
Williard says the Democratic Caucus, nor the Black Legislative Caucus were allowed any input in the special session. He says several aspects should be considered to adequately address crime.
Cut 14 (12) “…into society.”
Williard says due to the way the special session was called, lawmakers are not addressing the root causes of crime.
Cut 15 (10) “…in Louisiana.”
The session is scheduled to adjourn on March 6th. The regular session will convene on March 11th.
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Cut 16 (16) “…end”
Cut 17 (13) “…today.”
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Cut 18 (14) “..they play”
Cut 19 (19) “…that serve”
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Cut 20 (20) “…all healthy.”