MATUSOW'S DRUG LAW VOTE FAILS COMMUNITY

It is most unfortunate that yet again, despite bipartisan recognition that
New York's Rockefeller drug laws need change, the New York state
Legislature has failed to agree on the terms of the reform.

Incredibly, Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow was the only Democrat in
Westchester County to vote against a compromise bill that the Assembly
passed last week.

Ms. Matusow's remarks on a local news show that the bill might let violent
felons go free is simply incorrect. In fact, according to a press release
by Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver, the "cornerstone of the Assembly plan is
an effort to reduce New York's crime rate by ensuring that non-violent
offenders complete effective drug treatment" (emphasis added). The Assembly
bill Ms. Matusow, D-North Castle, voted against actually increased
sentences for major drug traffickers and adult offenders attempting to sell
drugs to children, while it saved taxpayers millions of dollars currently
spent to incarcerate non-violent offenders.

One can only wonder why Ms. Matusow would go against her own party in
failing to recognize that reform is long overdue. Her vote demonstrates a
lack of understanding of the issues, and her constituents should be
disappointed in her action.

Audrey Rogers, White Plains