dj-method-x
Superstar
Both sides the same right?
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local...cle_0ac0e5c3-5c81-5d91-bdb9-039ba30bc349.html
Indiana could remain one of just five in the nation lacking a hate crime statute after Senate Republicans on Tuesday gutted legislation providing a clear definition and sentence enhancement for bias motivated crimes.
It was a surprise change to a bias crime bill which Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, and a large coalition of business and community groups organized under the Indiana Forward banner, have identified as a top priority to ensure the state maintains a welcoming reputation.
Holcomb said in a statement following the Senate vote that the revised measure is inadequate and he vowed to work during the two months remaining in the annual legislative session to improve it.
The amendment gutting the proposal was approved 33-16, with only Republicans in favor and seven Republicans joining nine Senate Democrats in opposing the change recommended by state Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis.
It deleted a provision allowing judges to count as an aggravating factor, when sentencing a convicted criminal to more than the advisory prison term, the fact that the crime was perpetrated against an individual or group based on their actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation or age.
Freeman's amendment also eliminated a requirement that current police officers and recruits be trained in recognizing, investigating and reporting bias motivated crimes, and a mandate that all Indiana police agencies regularly submit bias crime data to the state.
In their place, Freeman simply added the words "including bias" to the existing catchall language in state law that allows judges to consider any relevant factor when determining a criminal sentence.
Democratic lawmakers argued that leaving it to judges in each of the state's 92 counties to individually define bias, and decide how it should be applied in sentencing, is a dereliction of duty by the Indiana Senate.
"This whole conversation has always been, philosophically, do you include a list in which you can maybe leave somebody off of there, or a court would interpret that somebody is not included in that, or do you make it more general so that everybody can be included," Senate President Rod Bray said.
When pressed, Bray struggled to identify anyone whose characteristics would not be included on the protected classes list in the original legislation.
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local...cle_0ac0e5c3-5c81-5d91-bdb9-039ba30bc349.html
Indiana could remain one of just five in the nation lacking a hate crime statute after Senate Republicans on Tuesday gutted legislation providing a clear definition and sentence enhancement for bias motivated crimes.
It was a surprise change to a bias crime bill which Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, and a large coalition of business and community groups organized under the Indiana Forward banner, have identified as a top priority to ensure the state maintains a welcoming reputation.
Holcomb said in a statement following the Senate vote that the revised measure is inadequate and he vowed to work during the two months remaining in the annual legislative session to improve it.
The amendment gutting the proposal was approved 33-16, with only Republicans in favor and seven Republicans joining nine Senate Democrats in opposing the change recommended by state Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis.
It deleted a provision allowing judges to count as an aggravating factor, when sentencing a convicted criminal to more than the advisory prison term, the fact that the crime was perpetrated against an individual or group based on their actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation or age.
Freeman's amendment also eliminated a requirement that current police officers and recruits be trained in recognizing, investigating and reporting bias motivated crimes, and a mandate that all Indiana police agencies regularly submit bias crime data to the state.
In their place, Freeman simply added the words "including bias" to the existing catchall language in state law that allows judges to consider any relevant factor when determining a criminal sentence.
Democratic lawmakers argued that leaving it to judges in each of the state's 92 counties to individually define bias, and decide how it should be applied in sentencing, is a dereliction of duty by the Indiana Senate.
"This whole conversation has always been, philosophically, do you include a list in which you can maybe leave somebody off of there, or a court would interpret that somebody is not included in that, or do you make it more general so that everybody can be included," Senate President Rod Bray said.
When pressed, Bray struggled to identify anyone whose characteristics would not be included on the protected classes list in the original legislation.
I'm not surprised in the least progression is always held back by cacs in positions of power...
Most of my family from Gary smh
