SURJ is preparing to introduce a new bill to repeal Delaware's draconian mandatory minimum drug laws. This bill will initially be sponsored by Representative Melanie George Marshall, Senator Harris McDowell and Senator Liane Sorenson. If you live in their districts please thank them and express your support. If not, please contact your Senator and Representative once the bill is introduced and ask them to co-sponsor it. According to SURJ:

SURJ's bill that would repeal mandatory minimum drug sentencing is being prepared for introduction in the General Assembly. Representative Melanie George Marshall, Senator Harris McDowell, and Senator Liane Sorenson have agreed to act as the bill's prime sponsors. The bill would repeal all mandatory minimum drug sentencing, returning discretion to Delaware's judges to formulate appropriate sentences.

H.B. 71, SURJ's previous mandatory minimum drug sentencing bill, was introduced in the 144th Session of the General Assembly and successfully passed through the House of Representatives before being stifled in the Senate by a desk-drawer veto. The measure continues to garner broad bi-partisan support, and SURJ is hopeful that the current economic climate will persuade legislators to consider the cost-savings aspect of the bill as well as the implications for improved justice.

Stay tuned for instructions on contacting your legislator! Your voice matters!

If passed, this bill will not only end an injustice that has been inflicted upon too many of Delaware's citizens, predominantly minorities, in the past twenty years, it will also help reduce state government spending. Currently Delaware ranks 2nd in the nation for its rate of imprisonment, with 847 per 100,000 people under state or federal correctional jurisdiction!

Hopefully the bill will contain provisions to provide retroactive relief to those who are now serving long prison terms or paying excessive fines or "Victims" Compensation surcharges due to mandatory minimum drug laws.

Delaware Libertarians need to support this effort.