“Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum, perhaps the Pelican State’s most conservative organization, recently honored progressive Democrat and Speaker Pro-Tem Rep. Walt Leger for his longtime commitment to criminal justice reform.”
Read MoreLast Thursday, the Governor signed ten new bills into law that were born out of the Justice Reinvestment Task Force. Over the next 10 years, this legislative package will reduce our incarceration rate by 10%, save the state $262 Million in the middle of a budget crisis, and reinvest more than $180 Million back into public safety.
Read MoreI began my career as an Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans where I prosecuted violent offenders and drug traffickers. I was proud of the work that I did there and I continue to benefit from the education I received in those courtrooms. But the lesson that has stuck with me the most is that, although we’ve been tough on crime, we haven’t been smart on crime. In Louisiana, we’ve somehow ended up with the highest incarceration rate in the world but still struggle with public safety and recidivism. We’ve sent more and more nonviolent offenders to prison while at the same time cutting funding for effective prison alternatives, programs ...
Read More“‘Representative Leger and I finally found something we can agree on,’ Denham Springs Republican Valarie Hodges said, with a laugh. ‘Love it!’ New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger responded.”
Read More“Change is never easy in government, especially when it comes to crime and punishment. But perpetuating the same losing pattern – and getting the same disappointing results – is not a strategy, it’s a waste of taxpayer money. The people of Louisiana deserve better. And it’s time for their elected representatives – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – to deliver.”
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