Senate Republicans put finishing touches on their get-tough-on-crime package today (10am start through most of the day) in the all-important Judiciary Committee, which heard mainly from supporters during Wednesday’s public hearing. Lisa Walker told lawmakers her 21-year-old daughter — a 4.0 U-of-M student, has severe PTSD after three robbers entered her Minneapolis home and threatened them at gunpoint. “Prison is not the answer for all, I do believe that,” Walker says. “But how can anyone not want to bolster efforts to stop these repeat offenders from offending?”
Republicans want to put judges and prosecutors who impose light sentences under greater scrutiny by voters. They also want sentencing guidelines toughened. House Democrats are emphasizing prevention, community policing and law enforcement accountability.