News & Commentary

SB 182 would eliminate wealth-based detention and promote public safety

This session is far worse than past ones as the Republicans in the General Assembly choose secrecy and darkness over transparency and accountability in numerous, impactful ways

HB 285 allows the speaker of the house and/or senate president, separately or in unison, to intervene "at any time" in a variety of lawsuits and litigation

When communities such as mine are uplifted and supported, we’re also included, which is something every minority community strives for, along with equity

Per the ruling, Judge Watson wrote: “All the Court [continuously found was] that a blanket prohibition against transgender people changing their sex maker is unconstitutional.”

Sub. SB 135 regards state institutions of higher education and free speech.

SB 181 permits public and private colleges and universities and “employers” to establish workforce-education partnership programs, and requires the Chancellor of Higher Education to create a template for colleges and universities and employers to use to establish such programs.

The way our elected officials, our institutions, and our citizens treat the mental and physical health of previously and currently incarcerated individuals is a direct reflection on our society’s attitude towards overall public health.

The Montgomery County Jail Coalition circulated a questionnaire for a variety of public officials surrounding plans for new jail construction. The survey was created to assess the views of sitting elected officials as well as candidates for office with respect to Montgomery County's plans for the County Jail, which was built to house 443 people but whose capacity regularly runs near 800. With its documented history of overcrowding and inhumane conditions, the County is undergoing a process to decide how to move forward with a suitable facility.The survey was sent to 13 individuals, the coalition received six responses. The coalition did not hear back from Matt Joseph, Jeffrey Mims, Chris Shaw, Stcey-Benson Taylor, Jordan Wortham, Valerie Duncan, or Rennes Bowers.The answers to those who completed the survey are as follows:Are you committed to implementing the following options to reduce jail populations: end use of cash bail, drug treatment diversion programs, mental health diversion programs, use of cite and release for low-level incidents?Darryl Fairchild: : YesJared Grandy: YesGary Leitzell: YesScott: Sliver: YesShenise Turner-Sloss: YesNan Whaley: YesShould local municipalities and Montgomery County pursue alternatives to incarceration to reduce the need for a larger jail?Darryl Fairchild: : YesJared Grandy: YesGary Leitzell: YesScott: Sliver: YesShenise Turner-Sloss: YesNan Whaley: YesDo you believe Montgomery County Needs to build a larger jail?Darryl Fairchild: NoJared Grandy: NoGary Leitzell: NoScott: Sliver: NoShenise Turner-Sloss: NoNan Whaley: NoDo you believe there should be public input on the plans for the jail before any decisions are finalized?Darryl Fairchild: : YesJared Grandy: YesGary Leitzell: YesScott: Sliver: YesShenise Turner-Sloss: YesNan Whaley: Yes