Measure 11 remains under threat
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
ECHO – Oregon’s voter-approved mandatory minimum prison sentences for violent crimes remains threatened as the Senate Judiciary and Measure 110 Implementation Committee has scheduled public hearings and work sessions on Senate Bill 191 for next week.
Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) said the measure which removes the mandatory minimums for every crime except murder is indicative of the legislature’s mood, especially when it comes to public safety and racial justice.
“Like most issues now, there are very loud voices intent on tearing down the system instead of working within the system to make it more efficient, less biased, and more just,” she said.
If the bill does make it out of committee, through the Senate, and to the floor of the House of Representatives, Levy says she will stand against it.
“You’re never going to hear me say I condone lesser sentences for violent offenders, because I just don’t believe that’s true, and I don’t believe that is fair or just for the victims of the crimes,” she said.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 191 is retroactive to include all sentences based on Measure 11 guidelines. Those include attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree rape, first-degree arson, aggravated vehicular homicide, and using a child in a sexually-explicit display.
