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Fiscal crisis could nix enhancements at Texas Lege

The Austin Statesman reports that Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire has taken a downright heroic stance, announcing he'll stymie criminal penalty increases in his committee to keep the state budget in check:With the Texas Senate apparently poised to hold up for now on any bills with a new fiscal note, Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire said today that tougher punishments are also on hold. ?It?s simple: Enhancements cost money,? said Whitmire, D-Houston. ?No enhancements. We don?t have money for them.? Dozens of bills have been filed seeking enhancements of criminal penalties, as they are each legislative session. Getting tougher on crime is an easy vote-getter back home. No word from the House, but if the Senate halts enhancements ? as it did several legislative sessions ago, triggering controversy ? Whitmire?s sentiment could stop many bills dead in their tracks...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on February 03, 2009 (boomark / email).