黑料正能量 Note: In a hopeful sign, the NYS Senate joined the Assembly and Governor Cuomo in its willingness to consider approval of a Raise the Age that would allow NYS to be the 49th state in the nation to stop trying children between the ages of 16-18 as adults, one of 黑料正能量鈥 top priorities this year. Stay tuned鈥
Senate GOP Willing To Include Funding In Raise The Age Deal
By Nick Niedzwiadek Politico March 20, 2017
Senate Republicans said today that raising the age of criminal responsibility will likely include a funding allocation, provided they are able to reach an agreement with Democratic leaders on issues like which crimes are eligible and the role of prosecutors in determining jurisdiction.
鈥淲hat constitutes a significant offense 鈥 does it have to be a violent felony?鈥 Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said to reporters following a so-called 鈥渕other ship鈥 budget meeting. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e caught with a significant amount of drugs should that be considered something that鈥檚 exempt or not? Those are all detailed discussions.鈥
黑料正能量 is one of two states that charge children as young as 16 years old as adults for nonviolent offenses.
Assembly Democrats and the Senate鈥檚 mainline Democratic conference want a broad list of offenses to be adjudicated in family court, with the most serious still going to criminal court.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the proper vehicle to actually have a rehabilitation program, move these young people away from recidivism,鈥 said Sen. Jeff Klein, head of the Independent Democratic Conference.
Republicans are wary of endangering public safety and are reviewing the list of eligible offenses. But, Flanagan said, any prospective agreement would include 鈥渇airly significant funding.鈥
Republican Sen. Pat Gallivan, who heads the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, said including that money in a raise the age agreement ensures that counties and municipalities are not left on the hook for increased youth services.
鈥淭here will be some sort of phase in 鈥 It won鈥檛 happen all at once,鈥 Gallivan said today.