Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle reacted Wednesday afternoon to the Christie veto of S2308, the early release bill.
Sen. Diane Allen (R-7) Burlington/Camden, prime sponsor of legislation to repeal New Jersey’s mandatory early release statute, applauded today’s gubernatorial veto of S2308.
“The Governor’s action provides an additional path to repeal New Jersey’s early release law, and I am pleased that he has put his full support behind this effort. With two homicides already committed by inmates released under the program, repealing this misguided policy should be priority number one for the Legislature,” she said in a release.
The issue of early release became a controversy in part due to Christie’s criticism of support for the program by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, (D-15), Ewing. Coleman defended the program, and placed blame in part on Christie policies that have forced towns to reduce police personnel. Coleman could not be reached immediately for a reaction.
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan, (D-20), said: “The Assembly will review the conditional veto and decide how to proceed based on what’s best for public safety.”
And Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver reacted to the decision. “The legislative intent was a worthy one,” Oliver said. ‘But I do believe it warrants re-examination. No one wants to see violent offenders, or those that have been convicted of egregious offenses, released early from those sentences.”
http://www.politickernj.com/46333/christie-vetoes-parole-review-early-release-bill
