Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rockefeller Drug Law Reforms Draw Jeers from Republicans
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 27, 2009
Modified Mar 27, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 27, 2009
Modified Mar 27, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
State Senate Republicans are voicing outrage today following Governor Paterson's morning press conference announcing an agreement among Democrats to repeal most of the Rockefeller-era drug laws. Republican State Senator Martin Golden, whose district stretches from Bay Ridge to Gerritsen Beach, tells the Times Union the reform will "coddle the criminals and put them back on the streets." Others derided the repeal's treatment programs as a "Get out of Jail Free Card." And Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos is threatening to keep his members out of the chamber unless Republicans get "a sufficient amount of time" to study the bill.
At this morning's press conference at the State Capitol, Paterson expressed confidence there will be enough votes to pass the measure in the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority. (The bill is included in the budget package for the fiscal year beginning April 1st.) Paterson told reporters, "Drug abuse is an illness and more and more over the years we're finding that it's a treatable illness," and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "Mandatory minimum sentences are a one-size-fits-all approach that does not work."
The final agreement among Democrats (outlined here) gives judges discretion to place addicted first and second-time drug offenders into alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and makes treatment available to the non-violent addicted offenders who commit a range of other crimes. According to the Times Union, the judges will also be able to dismiss all charges or seal records of offenders who successfully complete treatment, and punish them in the event of relapse or reoffense. And the agreement could grant freedom to offenders who remain in prison under the old laws.
Manhattan Democratic Senator Eric Schneiderman says the cost of implementing the reforms is being negotiated, but the state may use $67 million of federal stimulus money to expand treatment programs, among other things. And once fully implemented, Democratic lawmakers estimate the reforms will save taxpayers $250 million a year from the cost of housing prisoners.
Tagged
paterson
reform
rockefeller drug laws
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 5:22 p.m. ET
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
Manhattan prosecutors say Ulrich’s predecessor at the buildings department will testify in the trial against him.
By
David Brand
News
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
Manhattan prosecutors say Ulrich’s predecessor at the buildings department will testify in the trial against him.
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .