May 14, 2009
The Patrick Administration is holding a series of community forums to get input from Massachusetts residents on how to deal with the state's budget crisis, now nearing a $1 billion deficit. This is an excellent opportunity for FAMM members to speak up about an obvious cost-cutting measure: repeal lengthy mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.
Last week, Gov. Patrick filed a bill that would allow some drug offenders to apply for parole before serving their entire minimum sentence. This is a good start, as earlier parole eligibility would allow those drug offenders to support their families and pay taxes while easing prison overcrowding.
But it makes no sense to continue sentencing drug offenders to lengthy one-size-fits-all prison sentences. For those who are drug dependent or addicted, treatment is much less expensive than prison, yet more effective. Prison currently costs about $47,000 a year while treatment costs about $10,000.
Community forums on the budget were already held in several cities and towns earlier this week. Here are the scheduled meetings for tonight through next week.
NOTE: These are not FAMM meetings. Instead, they are organized by the Governor's staff and will be led by different members of the Governor's administration. Those who attend will raise many issues besides sentencing reforms. Please check the Governor's website, www.mass.gov/governor/forum, before your local meeting, in case there has been a change.
Thursday, May 14
Springfield 5 to 7 p.m.
Springfield Technical Community College, One Armory Square, #1
Milford 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Milford Senior Center, 60 N. Bow Street
Monterey 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Fire House, 411 Main Road
Newton 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham Street, West Newton
Brimfield 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Brimfield Elementary School cafeteria, 22 Wales Road
Martha's Vineyard 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Whaling Church, 69 Main Street, Edgartown
Friday, May 15
Williamstown 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Williamstown Municipal Building, 31 North Street
Sunday, May 17
Franklin 4 to 5 p.m
Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street
Monday, May 18
Taunton 6 to 7 p.m.
East Taunton Elementary School, 58 Stevens Street, East Taunton
Andover 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
School Administration Building, 36 Bartlet Street
Norwood 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
No location yet
Orange 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District library, 507 South Main Street
Tuesday, May 19
Amherst 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Amherst Town Room, 4 Boltwood Avenue
Boston 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
No location yet
Chelsea 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Chelsea High School auditorium, 299 Everett Avenue
Chesterfield 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Chesterfield Senior Center
Saugus 7 to 8 p.m.
No location yet
Fitchburg 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Fitchburg State College, Newman Room, 160 Pearl Street
Lexington 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Clark Middle School, 17 Stedman Road
Pepperell 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Nissitissit Middle School, 33 Chace Avenue
Thursday, May 21
Hyannis 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Barnstable Town Hall, Council Room, 367 Main Street
Wareham 6 to 7 p.m.
Wareham Career Center, 48 Marion Road
Bridgewater 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
131 Summer Street
Marblehead 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Marblehead High School library, 2 Humphrey Street
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Contact FAMM in Massachusetts
By phone: (617) 543-0878
By e-mail: bdougan@famm.org
By mail: P.O. Box 57, Newton MA 02468
Sincerely yours,
Barbara
Barbara J. Dougan
Massachusetts Project Director
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)