Listed here are a number of odds and ends that advantage Grits readers consideration on the legislative session begins to warmth up. Riot of...
Listed here are a number of odds and ends that advantage Grits readers consideration on the legislative session begins to warmth up.
Riot of the Clerks: A self-interested revolt
There's just one actual motive that clerks don't want a statewide database of court records, and it has nothing to do with high quality management. They at present cost a greenback a web page for information and do not wish to lose the income. Their argument is identical as newspapers complaining about on-line competitors from Craig's Record for his or her categorized advertisements. And but, these are probably the most public of public information. And there is important public demand for them. There's actually no good motive to not make them out there on-line, and the legislators lining as much as cease the rollout of the brand new system are doing their constituents an actual disservice, inserting the pursuits of native elected officers over the general public curiosity. Grits would not do oppo work for campaigns anymore, however there's simply an assault advert available geared toward anyone who supported a bill aimed at keeping public records from the public by way of unjustifiably excessive charges.
Extra critics denounce forfeiture fail
Momentum for reining in asset forfeiture continues to grow, with prosecutors going on the defensive. Go to the Simply Liberty website to send a message to lawmakers supporting reform.
Union bashing invoice leaves out regulation enforcement
Critics at a State Affairs listening to raised the identical criticism Grits did about legislation by Chair Joan Huffman to remove union-dues checkoffs for public staff - why leave out law enforcement, that are probably the most highly effective public worker unions within the state? The invoice was voted out on a 6-2 vote with the disparate remedy intact.
TDCJ chief exec interviewed
See an interview with new TDCJ chief mugwump Brian Collier from the Huntsville Merchandise.
Increase the Age!
Three totally different newspaper editorials this week backed so-called raise-the-age laws:
In the event you've obtained the cash, honey ...
As I write this, there are people scouring the finances to seek out cash to remove the Driver Duty surcharge. For his or her profit, here is a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board final 12 months with an excessive amount of seldom-discussed element about this system. (Ship an e mail to your legislators asking them to abolish the surcharge.)
Shackled to Debt
New report by way of Harvard's Kennedy College and the NIJ: "Shackled to Debt: Criminal-justice Financial Obligations and the Barriers to Re-Entry They Create."
Riot of the Clerks: A self-interested revolt
There's just one actual motive that clerks don't want a statewide database of court records, and it has nothing to do with high quality management. They at present cost a greenback a web page for information and do not wish to lose the income. Their argument is identical as newspapers complaining about on-line competitors from Craig's Record for his or her categorized advertisements. And but, these are probably the most public of public information. And there is important public demand for them. There's actually no good motive to not make them out there on-line, and the legislators lining as much as cease the rollout of the brand new system are doing their constituents an actual disservice, inserting the pursuits of native elected officers over the general public curiosity. Grits would not do oppo work for campaigns anymore, however there's simply an assault advert available geared toward anyone who supported a bill aimed at keeping public records from the public by way of unjustifiably excessive charges.
Extra critics denounce forfeiture fail
Momentum for reining in asset forfeiture continues to grow, with prosecutors going on the defensive. Go to the Simply Liberty website to send a message to lawmakers supporting reform.
Union bashing invoice leaves out regulation enforcement
Critics at a State Affairs listening to raised the identical criticism Grits did about legislation by Chair Joan Huffman to remove union-dues checkoffs for public staff - why leave out law enforcement, that are probably the most highly effective public worker unions within the state? The invoice was voted out on a 6-2 vote with the disparate remedy intact.
TDCJ chief exec interviewed
See an interview with new TDCJ chief mugwump Brian Collier from the Huntsville Merchandise.
Increase the Age!
Three totally different newspaper editorials this week backed so-called raise-the-age laws:
- SA Categorical Information: Adult prison is not for 17-year olds
- Star-Telegram: Criminal Justice Needs Age Adjustment
- Austin Statesman: Legislature should reform age of responsibility in Texas
In the event you've obtained the cash, honey ...
As I write this, there are people scouring the finances to seek out cash to remove the Driver Duty surcharge. For his or her profit, here is a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board final 12 months with an excessive amount of seldom-discussed element about this system. (Ship an e mail to your legislators asking them to abolish the surcharge.)
Shackled to Debt
New report by way of Harvard's Kennedy College and the NIJ: "Shackled to Debt: Criminal-justice Financial Obligations and the Barriers to Re-Entry They Create."
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