A state commission looking at the ways criminals are sentenced recommends a big change. The Sentencing Advisory Commission suggests a new system of evaluating people who have been convicted or pleaded guilty, and making recommendations for appropraite punishment. Those recommendations could include fewer people going to prison. Supreme Court Judge Michael Wolff, the Commission Chairman, rejects hard and firm sentencing guidelines. He says sentences have to be different becuase each crime is different. The court system in Missouri has a year to put the new advisory program into effect.
Marijuana Initiatives Could Be On November Ballot In Columbia
June 30, 2004 By
The Columbia city clerk is checking to see if there are enough signatures on petitions to ask voters to change marijuana laws in the city. One petition calls for dismissing marijuana possession charges against people whose doctors have recommended they use it for medical purposes. The other petition calls for misdemeanor marijuana possession charges to be heard in city court, which could not impose jail time although it could levy a fine of as much as $250. A petition organizer says the campaign is designed to protect students caught with small amounts of marijuana. The petitions say the matter will be on the November ballot if the City Council does not pass ordinances matching the petition issues.
McCaskill Welcomes Debates With Holden
June 29, 2004 By
The announcement that Governor Bob Holden has agreed to two debates with his main opponent in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor comes as great news to that opponent. State Auditor Claire McCaskill says Missourians will get the opportunity to see which of the two is best for the future of the state. McCaskill adds that while she’s happy to have debates scheduled for July 19th in Kansas City and July 20th in St. Louis, she would like to see more face-offs, with outstate Missouri not being left out in the cold. She’s hoping the Governor will agree to more debates prior to the August 3rd Primary vote.
State Rep Serving In Iraq Surprised By Early Transfer Of Power
June 29, 2004 By
A State Representative doing his Missouri National Guard time in Iraq says the moved-up transfer of power date surprised him, probably as much as anyone back in the U.S. Representative Jim Avery of the St. Louis suburb of Crestwood is now an Army specialist clearing roadside bombs in Iraq. He says the transfer of power took place just miles from his base near Baghdad. Avery says he’s seen many more of the improvised explosive devices – the official term for those roadside bombs – as the transfer date neared. But Avery says the amount of the security load the Iraqis themselves have been carrying has increased as well. Now that Iraqis have also officially taken over the government, Avery hopes to be back in the Capitol for another battle, next year’s legislative session.
Holden Signs Child Welfare Bill
June 29, 2004 By
Governor Bob Holden has signed legislation reforming the state’s Child Welfare System. The effort to revise the laws was driven by the death of 2-year-old Dominic James of Willard in southwest Missouri. Many of the elements of this law have already been implemented through executive order. The legislation will see the Social Services Department improving the protection of children in the custody of the state. In addition, there will be increased funding for foster care. A similar effort to reform the system was approved by the Legislature, last year, but was vetoed by the Governor.
