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USING HIS OWN WORDS

DROP THE ROCK URGES GOVERNOR PATERSON TO TAKE THE LEAD IN REPEALING THE ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS

For Immediate Release                                           December 8, 2008

Contact:     Robert Gangi                                          Caitlin Dunklee
                    Executive Director                                  Public Policy Project Associate
                    212-254-5700, ext. 305                        212-254-5700, ext. 339
                    917-327-7648                                        646-269-7344

New York – Here is a Drop the Rock fact sheet prepared by the Correctional Association that presents Governor David A. Paterson’s previous statements and actions in support of sweeping reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.  One week before the Governor releases his much anticipated proposed 2010 budget, Drop the Rock calls on him to save the State hundreds of millions of dollars by promoting repeal of the ineffective and racially biased Rockefeller Drug Laws.

 “As a State Senator from Harlem, David Paterson was an outspoken advocate for sweeping reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws,” states Caitlin Dunklee, Coordinator of Drop the Rock. “He says his opinion on the laws hasn’t changed, and he now has an historic opportunity to exercise leadership on behalf of more cost-effective and sensible government.”

“By adopting Rockefeller repeal, the governor and legislative leaders will save New York more than $200 million annually - demonstrating to the public that Albany can govern in sensible and strategic ways to deal with its serious fiscal problems,” says Robert Gangi, Executive Director of the Correctional Association.  “This constructive policy reform will also help reduce drug-trade-related crime and restore fairness to the administration of justice.”

Governor Paterson,

This is what you said as a State Senator from Harlem:

  • “As a member of the New York State Legislature, concerned about the unfairness and waste caused by the state’s harsh narcotics statutes, I, David A. Paterson, endorse…the Aubry Drug Law Reform Bill.” Statement of Support for Reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, signed March 21, 2000.
  • “…I think the Rockefeller Drug Laws have unfairly put people behind bars and destroyed their lives over, sometimes, one evening’s mistake in which no one else got hurt…” (Metroland Article, June 19, 2003)
  • “New York State has, by far, the harshest drug sentencing option for this offender [low-level drug seller with a prior non-violent felony conviction] in the entire country.” March 17, 2004

This is what you did as a State Senator from Harlem:

  • You were arrested in an act of civil disobedience protesting the Rockefeller Drugs Laws outside of Governor Pataki’s office in 2002.
  • You undertook an expansive study on drug policy in the U.S. to identify best practices in 2004.
  • You proposed an overhaul of the Rockefeller Drug Laws which included restoration of broad judicial discretion in 2004.

This is what you say as Governor:

  • “I haven’t changed my opinion on this one iota and certainly want to fight for Rockefeller Drug reform.” May 22, 2008 WAMC.

Now…what will you do? 

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Download a copy of the fact sheet

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