Paul. And that is on the Violent Crime side, we tend to have a lower crime rate than a lot of other states while at the same time keeping our incarceration rate lower by using more probation and using more treatment options. So thats why im a fan of the work thats been done here. And my first question is really along those lines of drug courts. Ive led some. Efforts here on drug courts and getting funding for drug courts carrying on the work of many that came before me, including ted kennedy and jim ram stead over on the house side. When we look at what this bill might save, we know that drug courts save money. And we know that getting some of the nonviolent offenders out of the prisons will save money or reducing their sentences. Do you think we could use some of this money to pay for things like drug courts ms. Yates, do you think that will be helpful as we look at how we are going to make up for the fact that we are going to be bringing people out of prison. But they not only need R
Forward, but also to people who were convicted and sentenced under old laws. Inmate sentences under the old mandatory minimums can ask a judge to sentence them in accordance with the new mandatory minimums. But a prosecutor gets to weigh in also. And the inmate will only get a lower sentence if the judge agrees it is appropriate after the judge has considered factors like the inmates danger to the community. But others have raised concerns about the department of justice going to stand idly by and let dangerous criminals walk. So this is my question, kind of a statement. I hope that i have your commitment that the department of justice will review each of these resentencing on a casebycase basis and that the determination on these resentencings will be made by local u. S. Attorney offices. Senator, we are anything but idle at the department of justice. You have our commitment that we will carry out the Retroactive Application of the provisions of this proposal in a thoughtful manner, o
Mayor Shaunna O Connell has confirmed a plan for it to be demolished next month.
The owner, Bill Thibeault, is undecided as to what will replace the mall, but O Connell said he is considering light industrial buildings such as warehousing and distribution.
O Connell said she is encouraging the owner to choose something that will bring more jobs to Taunton, and that although there is not a set timeline for a new use for the property, she believes it will move forward quickly. I do believe it will not be a drawn-out process, she said. They want to get the property developed, and we want to help them accomplish that as quickly as possible.