CORI Reform Day of Action!

http://bostonworkersalliance.org/index.php/?p=314

July 23, 2008
12:00 pm
to
1:00 pm

BWA and the CORI Coalition are calling on supporters to join us on Wednesday at the State House @ 12pm to raise pressure for the passage of CORI reform this month.

Speak Out and Lobby DayWednesday, July 23rd12pm @ State House Steps

12pm - Speak out and gather on State House Steps

12:30 - Enter State House and visit legislative offices

Efforts to pass CORI reform are reaching a climax, and it is crucial for supporters to have a visible presence within the State House. Your support in this Lobby Day can help bring our movement to victory.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with your own legislator for Wednesday, please RSVP to: atanaka@bostonworkersalliance.org with your address or name of Rep / Senator.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Join us on Wednesday, July 23rd @ 12pm! Please forward to your colleagues and contacts to support this CORI Day of Action.

http://www.bostonworkersalliance.org/

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CORI Reform UpdateFriday July 17, 2008
After missing the July 17th deadline, the Judiciary Committee Chaired by Representative Eugene O’Flaherty has requested additional time to report out a CORI bill by the end of this month.

While the delay in reporting a bill narrows the opportunity for reforms this session, our coalition is calling for a final outpouring of support for meaningful reforms before July 31st.


Currently, a legislative team led by Rep. Byron Rushing, Rep. Frank Smizik, Rep. Gloria Fox, and Rep. Benjamin Swan are enlisting other State Reps to support our four main priorities:


1) Ban the Box - Remove the criminal history question from all job applications

2) Fair Hiring - Only check CORI as the last step in the hiring process; require relevance and accuracy of CORI

3) Sealing at 3 and 7 - Reduce the waiting period to seal felonies after 7 years and misdemeanors after 3 years.

4) Non-convictions - Semi-automatic sealing of dismissed, not guilty and continued without findings.

Representatives Rushing, Smizik, Fox and Swan met with Chairman O’Flaherty this week to discuss our priorities and encourage prompt action on a bill. Chairman O’Flaherty indicated his decision to align himself with the Governor’s bill and set sealing periods at 5 and 10 years. However, he is still amenable to “banning the box” and removing non-convictions in the CORI bill.

It is therefore incumbent on our movement to pressure Chairman O’Flaherty to include these provisions in the Judiciary’s bill. The forthcoming bill is also said to include progressive reforms that change harsh school zone drug penalties, reduce to mandatory minimums and increase access to programs by prisoners.

Key Call-In Targets:

1) Chairman Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, (617) 722-2396 / rep.geneoflaherty@hou.state.ma.us
2) Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, (617) 722-2500 / rep.salvatoredimasi@hou.state.ma.us
3) Senate President Therese Murray, (617) 722-1500 / therese.murray@state.ma.us
4) Governor Deval Patrick - 617 725-4005

Call-In or E-mail these decision makers today for CORI reform. Demand passage of a CORI bill before July 31st.

Fighting for Jobs and CORI Reform, Now!

–Aaron TanakaBoston Workers Alliance51 Roxbury St.Roxbury, MA 02119
p. 617.427.8108c. 617.359.0336f. 617.442.9404

atanaka@bostonworkersalliance.org

www.BostonWorkersAlliance.org