Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jul 2003
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2003 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)
http://www.mapinc.org/people/Russell+Simmons (Russell Simmons)

THE ROCKEFELLER DRUG RAP

The nation has plenty of strange state legislatures, but lately New
York's seems to be edging near the head of the pack. How many, for
instance, have called on a hip-hop mogul to negotiate one of the most
important reforms in their state's history? In Albany, where the three
top leaders always meet in private to decide the fate of all major
legislation, this year -- for the first time anybody could remember --
there was a fourth. Besides Gov. George Pataki, Joseph Bruno, the
Senate majority leader, and Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker,
Russell Simmons of Def Jam records spent seven long hours with the big
trio in the sanctum santorum. There they negotiated ways to change the
cruel and unusual drug sentencing laws inflicted on New York 30 years
ago by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller.

How did a rap mogul gain so much influence over New York's lawmaking?
For one thing, Mr. Simmons is very rich and has shown an interest
recently in using his money to become a political player. And the
three men were undoubtedly so sick of one another that any fresh face
was welcome. This Legislature has been trying to repeal or reform
these inhumane laws for years without success. Someone apparently
figured that if Mr. Simmons can make a deal with Mariah Carey, he
should be able to crack a few knuckles in Albany.

Unfortunately, even the founder of Phat Farm fashions hasn't been able
to modernize methods in the capital. Reform died once again in the
recently concluded legislative session. Then last week Governor Pataki
unveiled yet another new plan to cut some of the more draconian
mandatory sentences for drug violations. This one drew praise not only
from Mr. Simmons but also from the Rev. Al Sharpton.

On the other hand Assembly Democrats, including Mr. Silver and
Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, the Rockefeller drug law expert who was
stuck sitting outside on the steps during that seven-hour marathon
with Mr. Simmons, have already expressed strong disappointment in the
new proposal.

The Democrats envisioned a two-phase reform that would start with
shortening the sentences and providing more drug treatment first, then
give judges back the discretion they deserve to decide whether a given
defendant is a hapless addict in need of help or a hardened dealer.

That's obviously a better vision than the governor's plan, which just
tinkers with the sentencing. But as usual, people hoping for reform
out of Albany are trapped with a choice between embracing the
possibility for a minimal improvement or continuing to push for
something that at least constitutes modest reform.

We're hoping that the legislative leaders are embarrassed enough about
the wholesale failure of the last session that they'll go back in
September and take up at least a few of the old issues. If they do,
they could certainly push drug law reform a little farther than the
governor is suggesting. Leaders should consider a pilot program to
give judges more leeway in some areas, and they should absolutely make
certain that those let out of prison are not dumped on the streets
without some rehabilitation. Years of disappointment with Albany make
it easy to settle for a very little, but Mr. Simmons at least is a
relatively fresh entry to the game, and he ought to push harder while
he still has the energy.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake