Rep. Shields Carries Measure 57 Phase-In to Passage in Oregon House
SALEM, Ore. - Today Rep. Chip Shields (D-N/NE Portland) carried HB 3508 B to passage. The bill phases in the implementation of Measure 57 and makes other criminal-justice system improvements that will save an estimated $49.6 million.
The bill culminates six months work and negotiations for Rep. Shields as Co-Chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee of Ways and Means.
"Oregon like the rest of the country is hurting. And phasing in Measure 57 will keep faith with the voters by keeping all aspects of our public safety system in tact until Oregon digs out of this severe recession and until we can afford the historic investment in treatment promised in Measure 57," said Shields.
The bill continues the property crime measure until February 15, 2010 and then Measure 57 will be suspended until January 1, 2012.
The bill also increases earned time from 20 percent to 30 percent of sentence for non-violent offenders and makes a variety of other criminal-justice enhancements. Shields welcomed the 40-19 vote and said that true public safety is about more than just building more and more prisons. It's also about crime prevention, Head Start, services for victims of domestic violence, better funding for drug and alcohol treatment, and proper funding of state troopers and legal services.
Rep. Shields drafted and negotiated the measure with his Co-Chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee Sen. Joanne Verger (D-Coos Bay), along with House and Senate Judiciary Chairs Jeff Barker (D-Aloha) and Floyd Prozanski (D-Euguene).
The bill now moves to the Oregon Senate for consideration.
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State Rep. Chip Shields