Not much in the news about 1266 that has been helpful. Yesterday, the Statesman had this:

Probation opposition

By Mike Ward | Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 09:59 AM
After months of mostly kissy-kissy between various officialdoms over proposed sweeping reforms in Texas? probation system, things are getting a tad rocky in the final stretch.

As Senate and House committees are poised this week to approve two bills that will overhaul community-based supervision of offenders, a growing contingent of prosecutors, probation officials and even judges are now cautioning that the changes might be too much, too soon.

The complaints:

Funding for probation departments will shrink because fewer offenders will be paying fees. Both bills offers incentives for well-behaved defendants to get off probation early, you see.

Workloads for judges and probation officials will increase because both bills require additional review and closer supervision.

More people will be sentenced to prison. Prosecutors and judges are willing now to risk probation in difficult cases because of the current laws permitting extended supervision. Without them, prosecutors will recommend more direct sentences, said one prosecutor.

Public safety will be endangered. A decade ago, the state parole board was the early release valve. Now, the Lege will turn that job over to probation and law-abiding citizens could soon find that's a bad idea.

Commented one prosecutor who oppooses the changes: "This is all a shell game. Eventually, you have to turn over the shells."

Countered one lawmaker, in what is a growing sentiment at the Big Dome: "Sounds to me like judges and some other folks have figured out they may have to start doing their jobs better. No sympathy here."

quote:

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Countered one lawmaker, in what is a growing sentiment at the Big Dome: "Sounds to me like judges and some other folks have figured out they may have to start doing their jobs better. No sympathy here."

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Isn't that like taking away are carpenter's tools and telling him he just needs to learn to do his job better...but without his tools?

I've got a great idea along the same lines. Let's close the capitol building, stop paying legislators and take away all of their staff, phones and computers. That will save the State millions of dollars a year and all the Legislators will need to do is "start doing their jobs better."

No sympathy here.