PATAKI RIVALS VIE FOR LATINOS

Dems Address Drug Law Reform

Gov. George Pataki's Democratic rivals simultaneously vied for Latino
voters yesterday as Andrew Cuomo called for gutting the most unpopular
elements of the Rockefeller-era drug laws and State Comptroller H. Carl
McCall began broadcasting television commercials narrated by Fernando
Ferrer, whose mayoral campaign last fall galvanized thousands of Latinos.

At a campaign appearance in upper Manhattan, Cuomo called for the abolition
of the mandatory minimum sentences that require judges to sentence
non-violent, low-level drug offenders to prison terms. He also said that
sentences should not be solely determined by the quantity of drugs an
offender is caught with, but should also take into account the role of the
offender in a drug deal.

These two aspects of drug sentencing under the Rockefeller-era laws are
very unpopular among blacks, Latinos and civil libertarians, who say the
laws have led to people being incarcerated for long periods even if they
were peripheral players in drug deals.

Prosecutors have fought attempts to dramatically change the sentencing
rules, and the wide divergence of opinions has blocked any changes to the
laws despite two years of negotiations between Pataki and the Legislature.

"Repeal of mandatory minimum sentences, coupled with renewed emphasis on
treatment, will restore rationality to our state's drug policies," Cuomo said.

He was joined in his announcement by Anthony Papa, who had been imprisoned
for 12 years under the Rockefeller laws until Pataki granted him clemency
in 1997.

"The issue is being tossed around like a football and each side is blaming
each other for not cooperating," said Papa, an artist. "We need somebody
with a track record of getting things done like Andrew Cuomo."

In response to a reporter's question, Cuomo admitted that he had tried
marijuana in his youth.

McCall has supported efforts in the Democrat-controlled Assembly to give
judges more power over setting sentences and expanding drug treatment. The
most recent Assembly compromise proposal retains much of the existing
Rockefeller mandatory sentencing rules. "Carl McCall's been out talking
about this issue and advocating for reform for well over a year," said
spokesman Steve Greenberg.

Pataki spokesman Michael McKeon said the governor would continue to try to
reach a compromise with the Legislature. "We have a comprehensive plan that
provides some added judicial discretion and recognizes the important role
that prosecutors play," McKeon said.

The McCall commercials, which start tomorrow on Latino radio and TV
stations, are part of that campaign's efforts to create a black-Latino
coalition large enough to help McCall beat Cuomo and then Pataki. McCall
had supported Ferrer last year, and this year many of the prominent Latino
leaders who supported Ferrer's bid are backing McCall, who is seeking to
become New York's first African-American governor.

Today, Cuomo plans to court New York's Jewish vote by flying to Israel for
a multiday tour intended to show his sympathy for victims of the recent
bombings.