Policy Day: Q&A
HB 4002:
No one is chiming in so DRUGS! HB 4002 passed which re-criminalizes drugs starting in November. What am I going to do?
I've already secured funding for a deflection program in Gilliam County. I also helped to secure funding in Wasco County. Wasco, Gilliam, and Hood River Counties are all working together for continuity on this issue. We expect that the other two counties in our judicial district will also join eventually.
The commitment of mutliple DAs across the state and their law enforcement was essential for passing this bill. Without it, there would be no recriminalization! So thank you for law enforcement working with the district attorneys to see this happen. Yay!
What does it mean? It means that now we have increased penalties for people that are dealing drugs around our most vulnerable people. Of particular note? People that are dealing near rehabs. That should be an issue, shouldn't it?
It also means more authority to do quick, targeted strikes to get people into rehab or face legal consequences. The most effective things we have for our drug crisis have proven to be these sort of interventions. So I am committed to that.
I guess this is where I also say that I worked as a drug court attorney for a decade. Got my masters in forensic psychology. And also have taken courses in things like psychopharmacology so I can more effectively deal with these issues!
I'm also creative! I can come up with out of the box solutions. Again, we have tools in our toolbox! I use them to find a way to hold people accountable. Let's work together. Fight crime, not each other.
The Constitution!
My favoritest topic of all topics is the CONSTITUTION!!! I love it. Both the US Constitution and the Oregon Constitution. I keep tabbed copies in my desk drawer. I listen to SCOTUS arguments for funsies.
Our constitution keeps us safe. Our civil rights keep us safe. But guys? That means ALL the rights. And that means for EVERYONE. You hear me?
Let's start with the first amendment. Shame on a lot of you for wanting the first amendment for what you believe in and no one else. EVERYONE has a first amendment right to freedom of speech. It doesn't matter what the topic is or if we like how it is expressed. The one thing I can NEVER do as a political actor is tell someone how or what to say. And it doesn't matter if I try saying it as a friend, a daughter, or a co-worker. I am still a government actor. It is NOT okay. That is government suppression of speech. (I will cop to telling my mom her speech reflects on me, so please stop. But that felt icky, if legal.) I'm an absolutist on this issue. It's our FIRST amendment. I don't mess with it.
Second amendment! I am a gun owner. My grandpa was a gunsmith. My entire family is military. When I say entire, I mean my grandfather, father, brother, and brother in law were Navy. My uncle, cousin, and nephew were marines. So we're all Navy over here. We have guns. The 2nd amendment is a civil right. Gun violence IS an issue and we have the tools in our toolbox to fight it. We do not need to start taking away people's rights because we're scared. But guys? That means ALL the rights.
3rd amendment. Yeah - don't quarter your soldiers in my home. We'd better be in agreement on that?
4th, 5th, and 6th - the bread and butter of the criminal legal system. I follow all the emerging case law in these areas and update my law enforcement on it as it happens so that we don't lose cases on technicalities. I do not believe that following the laws of our constitution should ever be scoffed at. It's our constitution! That is the most important law of our country. For people to abide by our laws, they need to feel that we have a valid system. People don't feel like we have a valid system if the government doesn't abide by it's own laws!
I don't deal with the 7th amendment. But I still agree with it!
8th - cruel and unusual punishment. This doesn't come up a lot in Oregon. But you know what we have? A decision called Rodriguez/Buck. Anytime I am dealing with a case with super serious consequences, I need to be aware of this decision and a judge's ability to utilize it. Judges have a lot of restrictions when they go upward to punish a person more, but not so much when they give a lesser sentence. This case is a must know for any prosecutor when pleading cases or after winning at trial. It is totally possible to win the conviction and lose at sentencing if you don't know your case law. Spoiler alert - I am a complete nerd that knows my case law. Hence, I knew the name of the case that can get ya!
9th amendment. I firmly believe in this!!!! Anything that isn't enumerated in the constitution for the federal government belongs to us, the people. Ask me about the 9th amendment vs. the chevron doctrine after the election, please.
My Family
LAST ONE! (I have court in the morning) My family. A lot of people have been commenting in other venues, including creepy messages to me directly.
My family? It's all public service! My grandfather fought in WWII and Korea then went on to spend years more in the Navy before going to work for NASA. My mom was a social worker for DHS helping abused children for decades. My dad sat on the Iwo Jima during the Cuban Missile Crisis before coming home to take over the family farm. He spend decades in the reserves while farming.
My Uncle spent his entire career in the Marines. My brother was in the first gulf war (Navy). My brother-in-law was in the second gulf war and spent 20 years in the Navy. My cousin and nephew were both marines. My family has bled for this country.
You want to say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Good! I am proud of my family. We have done so much more than have a cherry orchard in The Dalles. We have served. I have served the community. We care about the people. I will continue to care about the people in my community whether it is politically correct or not! And with that, I say happy cinco de mayo and have a good night!
