Today, NOVEMBER 16, 2010:

Call-in Day to Support SENATE PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL criminal justice commission act

BACKGROUND INFO:

In 2009, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, legislation that would create a bipartisan Commission to review and identify effective criminal justice policies and make recommendations for reform. The House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committee have reviewed and favorably passed the bill, which has 39 Senate cosponsors.  The bill is awaiting final passage by the Senate during these last few weeks of the Congressional session.  If the National Criminal Justice Commission Act does not pass this year, the legislation must be reintroduced and advance through both chambers of Congress again in 2011.  Please help us urge the Senate to prioritize and pass this important legislation as soon as possible!

ACTION NEEDED:

Today, please call the following Senators to ask them to prioritize and support Senate passageof the House-passed National Criminal Justice Commission Act, H.R. 5143/S. 714, as soon as possible:

·         Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid(D-NV), 202-224-3542

·         Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-KY), 202-224-3135

MESSAGE:

I am calling to ask the Senator to prioritize and support immediate Senate passage of the House-passed National Criminal Justice Commission Act, H.R. 5143/S. 714, because:

·         Having a transparent and bipartisan Commission review and identify effective criminal justice policies would increase public safety.

·         The increase in incarceration over the past twenty years has stretched the system beyond its limits. These high costs to taxpayers are unsustainable, especially during these tough economic times.

·         The proposed commission would conduct a comprehensive national review – not audits of individual state systems – and would issue recommendations – not mandates – for consideration. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kara Gotsch at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL ALONG TO YOUR FRIENDS!

The Sentencing Project is located at 1705 DeSales Street, NW 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.  Send an email to The Sentencing Project.

The Sentencing Project is a national, non-profit organization engaged in research and advocacy for criminal justice reform.

We Are the Drug Policy Alliance

Senate leadership is sitting on a bill that would pave the way for criminal justice and drug policy reforms. Tell them to call a floor vote!

Email Sens. Reid and McConnell

Dear friends,

Today's the day.

This is our best chance to get Congress and President Obama to establish an important commission that could provide recommendations on how to reform our marijuana laws, as well as other criminal justice issues.

The Senate is considering a bill that would establish a national commission to make recommendations on improving the criminal justice system -- but Congress is dragging its feet.  They need to hear from reformers around the country in support of this bill. Send a message to Senate leadership now!

This bill has already passed the House. It has also passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. All we need is for Senate Leadership to bring it to the floor for a final vote. We’ve got the bill to the ten yard line, but we need you to score the touchdown. Please take just a few minutes today to contact Senate Leadership and tell them to pass the National Criminal Justice Commission Act this week.

This is our last chance this year to pass this important reform bill. Please take action and forward this email to your friends and family.

Sincerely,

Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance

Dear friends,

Seven days - that’s how little time is left before California votes on Proposition 19, the ballot initiative that would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana.

We know that young people overwhelmingly support Prop 19, so it’s up to us to make sure they vote by November 2.

SSDP and Just Say Now are launching a Prop 19 Day of Action on Saturday to coincide with Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's Rallies for Sanity and Fear on October 30. We’re going to call thousands of young voters and drive out support for Prop 19.

Can you join us? Pledge to participate in the Prop 19 Day of Action this Saturday.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/prop19ssdp

When you make your pledge, tell us if you'd like to start making phone calls to California voters about Prop 19 using the Just Say Now call tool right from your home -- or if you want to step up, tell us if you can organize a phone banking party.

Young people throughout California will be watching the rally and getting fired up to cast their vote on election day. You can call them and remind them to vote Yes on 19.

Calling young people is a sure-fire way to turn out voters most likely to support Prop 19 and help legalize marijuana. Plus, it’s super easy and fun to call right from your home. So please sign up to call on Saturday, or let us know you want to have a phone bank party!

Click here to pledge to join the Prop 19 Day of Action on Saturday!

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/prop19ssdp

Are planning to be in D.C. on Saturday? Join SSDP for our pre-rally sign making party and post-rally phone banking party in our D.C. office.RSVP to the Rally to Restore (Drug Policy) Sanity in Washington, D.C.

Thanks for all you do to pass Prop 19.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Perri

Associate Director
Students for Sensible Drug Policy

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