In 2016, Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly passed SQ 780 making drug possession and low-level property offenses a misdemeanor.
A new piece of legislation, Senate Bill 334, would roll back SQ 780 even though Oklahomans still strongly support the measure. Oklahoma has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the country, driven by lengthy sentences for drug and property crimes. SB 334 would make things worse by increasing prison sentences for low-level property offenses.
These are survival crimes often stemming from substance use and poverty. Sending people to prison because they needed basic necessities wastes taxpayers dollars and does not make Oklahoma communities safer.
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TO: terry.odonnell [at] okhouse.gov; jon.echols [at] okhouse.gov; josh.west [at] okhouse.gov; trey.caldwell [at] okhouse.gov; john.pfeiffer [at] okhouse.gov; dustin.roberts [at] okhouse.gov; sheila.dills [at] okhouse.gov; rusty.cornwell [at] okhouse.gov; greg.treat [at] oksenate.gov; kim.david [at] oksenate.gov; james.leewright [at] oksenate.gov; frank.simpson [at] oksenate.gov; julie.daniels [at] oksenate.gov; marty.quinn [at] oksenate.gov; dave.rader [at] oksenate.gov; greg.mccortney [at] oksenate.gov
Dear Representative/Senator [ ],
The Conference Committee Substitute for SB 334 keeps intact the 180 day aggregation period. This is the exact component of the bill that advocates have taken issue with because it will result in more felony convictions for low-level property offenses. Additionally, the requirement of unlimited community service for a first offense will further burden DOC and mental health providers. This is a rollback of the policy voted in with SQ 780. Please do not let SB 334 (including the amended version – CCS) become law.
Please uphold the wishes of Oklahoma voters who overwhelmingly support safely decreasing our prison population.
Very truly yours,
