Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2005 Source: Times Union (Albany, NY) Section: Pg B3 Copyright: 2005 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452 Author: Elizabeth Benjamin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws) DRUG LAW REFORM PROSPECTS UNCLEAR Assembly Democrats Push For More Changes To Statutes, But Bruno Cool To Idea ALBANY -- Assembly Democrats unveiled a bill they called the "next step" in Rockefeller Drug Law reform Wednesday, but its prospects are dim as Senate Republicans appear uninterested in changes beyond the modest adjustments made last year. The Assembly bill would double the weight of narcotics that trigger sentences for drug possession, return judges' sentencing discretion and allow some nonviolent felons to get substance abuse treatment instead of prison time. It would also increase penalties for drug traffickers and adults who use children to peddle drugs. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said the goal is to help lower-level, Class A2 and B, offenders who are the bulk of those in prison for drug crimes but weren't helped by the 2004 deal, which cut sentences for only the highest-level, Class A1, offenders. "We want the public to know ... we haven't forgotten the commitment to the next step in Rockefeller reform," Silver said. Of the 446 Class A1 offenders in state prison when Gov. George Pataki signed changes to the drug laws, 66 have been resentenced, but only 21 were released as of April 30, according to the state corrections department . Some A1 offenders are serving concurrent, lower level sentences that can't be reduced by judges. The Assembly bill would address this, Silver said, and also allow some Class B and all Class A2 drug offenders to retroactively appeal their sentences. Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who won an upset victory in 2004 with a drug law reform focus, called the Assembly bill "tough and smart." But Senate Republicans don't seem interested. Last year, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, said "there is more to be done" but there is no majority-sponsored bill. Bruno spokesman Mark Hansen said: "We'll look at the Assembly proposal. But the Senate's top criminal justice priority this year is keeping children safe from sexual predators." The renewed stalemate is the outcome many advocates feared after the 2004 deal, which they felt would give lawmakers political cover for refusing to revisit it. Michael Blain, director of public policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-reform group that helped Soares win, said: "Next year is not good enough. ... There will continue to be political consequences until we have real reform." Silver said reform "is not political," and a deal is possible. "I haven't given up on this year yet."