Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jun 2005 Source: Times Union (Albany, NY) Copyright: 2005 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws) SENATE DEMOCRATS PUSH DRUG LAW REFORM MEASURE ALBANY - A $10 million Senate Democratic proposal released Thursday would provide convicted drug offenders and dealers shorter sentences and more rehabilitation, help to land a job, and the power to vote again, under the latest attempt to reform the state's Rockefeller-era drug laws. Under the Democrats' proposal, judges could use a defendant's criminal history to ease a sentence to probation and provide "retroactive sentencing" that could free drug offenders now in prison. The bill would also create county "re-entry" programs with educational programs, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, help in getting housing, job training and mental health services. "We'll look at their plan and we're planning on doing our own reform bill," said Mark Hansen, spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin