in an interview with the editorial board yesterday (along with his Democratic opponent, Daniel Moran, a UNT student), Parker said he would support legislation eliminating jail time for possession of small amounts of marijuana. His position reminded me of Gov. Rick Perry’s statement this year that, “You don’t want to ruin a kid’s life for having a joint.”Check out the rest of Jones' rather lengthy, noteworthy discussion with Chairman Parker. Remarkable.
Parker’s position is interesting, coming from the chairman of the House Corrections Committee who’s regarded as pretty conservative. If Parker occupies this space on drug policy, it could indicate movement by more Republicans than I would have expected for next session.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Corrections Committee Chair Tan Parker questions jail time for low-level pot possession
Here's an incredibly positive sign for drug sentencing reform from Texas House Corrections Committee Chairman Tan Parker, as reported by the Dallas Morning News' Rodger Jones on their Opinion Blog (Sept. 16):
Thank you Mr. Parker,someone is finally waking up and hearing what is being said by the Concern Citizens of Texas. PUSH PUSH and don't stop PUSHING until changes are made. THANK YOU
ReplyDeleteHoly Smoke Grits, a bureaucrat has opened his mouth and something sensible fell out. Will wonders never cease? Kinda restores my faith in human nature. Kinda.......
ReplyDeleteStop funding these failed programs.
ReplyDeleteStop funding the half-way houses and all the fraud they commit against the tax payers. The employees at the half-way house threaten the residents there every day and think they are prison guards, aka, Volunteers of America and Dallas Salvation Army Gateway program. The follow up care First Step Counseling in Addison, Texas is committing fraud against the tax-payers with their phoney program also, no rehabilitation, nothing but threats to send you back to prison. STOP FUNDING THESE FAILED PROGRAMS WITH TAX-PAYERS DOLLARS. First Step Counseling needs their contract investigated for fraud right now, along with Volunteers of America (Riverside) Stop sending people there now and stop wasting tax-payers dollars. Parole must be getting kickbacks on these failed programs to defend them so. They are now making parolees travel two to three countries to the Addison, Texas program. Why? Must be something illegal going on like bribes and kickbacks to parole officers! STOP THE FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE OF TAX-PAYERS DOLLARS NOW!! THESE PROGRAMS ARE FAILURES!! ASK THE WOMEN AT THE HENLEY UNIT THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM 3 AND 7 TIMES!!
I AGREE DRUG PROGRAMS ARE A JOKE DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE THEY HAVE HELPED, GET OFF OF ALL THE PHONEY REHAB CENTERS IT DOES NOT HELP THE PEOPLE AT ALL, BUT I THINK THE SYSTEM KNOWS THAT! A LOT OF MONEY WASTED....O BUT THE PRISONS ARE FULL OF LOW LEVEL INMATES WHO HAVE DRUG PROBLEMS SO TO HELP THEM THEY LOCK EM UP...IT'S A CRYING SHAME!!
ReplyDeleteThose rehab programs are big money contracts, with kickbacks and bribes. I wonder if the truth be told who and how much goes to the Parole Board Members and TDCJ Officials that claim they are so wonderful. Why does anyone have to drive over tow counties to make these meetings or go back to prison? Parole taking bribes and kickbacks? The Parole Board has to be on the take.
ReplyDeleteThe people only show up because they have to and only sit there and roll their eyes the entire time they are there at those meetings. Those contracts are so bogus and the state officials are either too ignorant to see this or they are on the take with kickbacks. Those half-way house are self-licking ice cream cones.
ReplyDelete