Oppose Expansion of Measure 11

Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:52:16 -0500
From: "Denise Welch"

Tell the Oregonian You Oppose Expansion of Measure 11

Kevin Mannix, author of Measure 11, wants more mandatory minimum sentences for Oregon. Reporter Ashbel Green’s story in the Saturday, September 15th Oregonian shows clearly why we need to fight the proposed Mannix measure and the mandatory sentences it requires for non-violent property crimes. You can read the Oregonian story here:

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/11898267317590.xml&coll=7

The new Mannix measure would increase sentences to a minimum of three years for drug offenses and property crimes, according to Green, and would cause Oregon’s prison population to swell by 3,000 to 6,000 prisoners by 2011 at an annual cost of $200 to $400 million.

We need you to write a letter to the editor of the Oregonian to let other Oregonians know that this Mannix measure is bad public policy and bad for Oregon. Below are a few facts and talking points that will help you write your letter:

►The mandatory sentencing measure is clearly an over-reaction as the FBI reports that property crime is significantly down in Oregon for each of the past two years. Property crime in 2006 is estimated to be down 14.4% in Oregon’s three largest cities.

►Mannix’s mandatory sentencing measure would force Oregon to build at least two additional prisons at an estimated cost of $600 million per prison for construction and debt service.

►More money going to building and operating new prisons means we’ll have less money for schools, health care and other essential services. Let’s spend our money where it is truly effective – for schools, colleges, health care, Head Start and other programs that create healthy and safe communities.

►There are far better alternatives to reducing property and drug crimes than incarceration. Both drug and alcohol treatment and early intervention programs for at-risk youth are far less expensive and work more effectively at preventing crime.

►Mannix’s mandatory sentencing measure is one of 20 initiatives already filed by Mannix for the 2008 election; a clear abuse of the initiative system. Our initiative process seems to be making money for him. The Oregonian reported last year that since 1996, Kevin Mannix has paid over $800,000 to himself, his law firm and other businesses from political committees and foundations he controlled.

►After failing four times to be elected to statewide office, Mannix is trying to become politically viable again. But this is a bad strategy that takes us down the wrong path. We need smarter solutions to our criminal justice problems.

Remember, limit your letter to 150 words or less and include your name, address, and daytime phone number. The Oregonian won’t print your address or phone number, they just need it to verify that you wrote the letter. Read the 7 Tips for Writing Your Letter to the Editor for useful suggestions that will help get your letter published.

http://www.safetyandjustice.org/getinvolved/howto/story/822
Letters to the Editor of the Oregonian should be emailed to letters@news.oregonian.com or faxed to (503) 294-4193.

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