Jeb Bush urged to restore felons' rights

[rainbow4321]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/10754281.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp&1c

Two powerful Republican lawmakers are urging Gov. Jeb Bush to restore civil rights to felons who have completed their sentences -- and have vowed to support a voter referendum to end Florida's 137-year-old ban altogether if the governor refuses.

Sen. Stephen Wise, a Jacksonville Republican and chairman of the criminal justice committee, said the Legislature could put an amendment on the ballot that would permanently eliminate the ban from the Florida Constitution if a majority of voters approves

Bush did not directly address the proposals by Wise and Villalobos, but an e-mail from his spokesman Jacob DiPietre said the governor ``believes the current process is fair.`` require felons convicted of serious crimes to actively participate in the clemency process in order to have their rights restored

Bush has historically rejected the idea of restoring rights to all felons automatically, citing public safety issues, among others.
But lawmakers and civil rights advocates say denying rights to felons makes staying out of trouble that much harder, with felons struggling to find jobs and housing.

[TwentyFive]

1. Could start with his brother Neil. n/t

[Sugarbleus]

2. Holy Cow! A republican suggesting something RIGHT???

I'm shocked. I'm stunned. I'm, I'm bewildered...lol

HELL YES, restore felons rights to vote, just like we do here in Calif. and elsewhere. America has the WORST criminal justice system in the modern world--outside of the middle east.

We do our time. We play it straight..what's the big deal? Let them vote AND work!!!! Damn, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the benefits to that scenario.

GO SEN. WISE!!

[flordehinojos]

3. "citing public safety issues, among others." jeb bush has "historically

rejected the idea of restoring rights to all felons automatically,"

PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES? MY FOOT! jeb's refusal to restore rights to all felons automatically comes from his need for POWER AND CONTROL!!! through which HE gets to RIG our FLORIDA ELECTIONS!!!!

[eternalburn]

4. Can a felon be drafted? (nt)

[w4rma]

5. Don't think so, but I'm pretty sure that ex-felons can be. (nt)