By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-955811.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – Landmark legislation designed to ease prison overcrowding in Kentucky has been signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear.
Among those recognized during signing ceremonies at the State Capitol were Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Tom Jensen, and Rep. John Tilley, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
"In discussing the bill last week with a reporter and writer from The Economist, the weekly news magazine, he said to me and submitted that he thought it was not bipartisan, but it was non-partisan. And I frankly think that's accurate. I don't think it could have been any more non-partisan than it was, and I think that led to the success of what you see today," Tilley said.
The legislation, which cleared the House 96-1 and the Senate 38-0, emphasizes treatment, probation and parole over incarceration for non-violent drug offenders. It's expected to ease prison overcrowding and save the state $422-million over ten years.