A prudent Oregon treasury cannot afford another prison expansion August 22, 2008
Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , trackbackHERE’S A GOOD EDITORIAL FROM THE DAILY ASTORIAN.
You can’t miss with crime. Politicians know it. That’s why Congress over decades has enlarged the list of capital crimes. It’s also why Oregon voters will be asked to add a new chapter to the massive prison expansion of Measure 11.
Kevin Mannix and the Oregon Legislature have submitted competing property crimes ballot measures. The legislature’s measure costs less than Mannix’, but it’s also over $1 billion.
Crime is an easy sell. But debt isn’t. And neither of these measures carries a funding mechanism to pay for the major increase in the state Corrections budget they will incur.
These measures come along at a time when the American economy is tenuous at best. The New York Times Magazine last Sunday carried a profile of Nouriel Roubini, who’s known in economic circles as Dr. Doom. Roubini says America’s banking and credit problems have only begun.
Voters might be skeptical if they realized that either of the two property crimes measures on the November ballot will cost more than $1 billion. But then again, they might not. Crime prompts a visceral response.
These measures carry price tags that a prudent Oregon treasury really can’t afford. But the larger truth is that prison – not education – has become Oregonians’ only entitlement.
Loading ...
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?