Uplifting the Directly Impacted in our Democracy- July State Updates

In addition to executing state campaigns, we held the first virtual convening and training session for the 2023 Dream.Org Justice Cohort. These inspiring and dedicated leaders from across the country are eager to learn and already come to the table with valuable knowledge and skills. I personally look forward to meeting all the cohort members at our first in person convening in August. More on the convening and our leaders to come - for more details on our 2023 class, please see our website.

Arizona:

• After months of campaigning, we are happy to say that our efforts along with allies and other groups was successful. HB 2802 was vetoed by Governor Hobbs. This proposed legislation would significantly reduce the amount of substance required for a sales charge instead of a possession charge, and notably enhance the mandatory minimum sentences. 

Arkansas:

• Our staff member Ruby Welch, was a panelist on the Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Heal America Vision Council Working Group where she spoke about the need to expand Second Chance Hiring (Ban The Box) to Arkansas.
• We continued to educate and train Arkansas Empathy Leader Kwami Abdul-Bey, Arkansas legislators, AFP, and several community organizations on how Dream.Org will work alongside Arkansas Probation and Parole to properly implement the new 120 day grace period for those who owe fines and fees after incarceration.

Kentucky:

• Our Campaign Coordinator, John Bowman, wrapped up  the “Public Health is Public Safety'' tour in partnership with Vital Strategies. These events brought hundreds of Kentuckians from all around the state together to work on common sense solutions to combat the overdose epidemic in Kentucky and to work to reform harmful drug policies in the state. 
• John and I also had the opportunity to testify in the interim judiciary committee, in favor of the Kentucky Clean Slate Act, which would expunge over 500,000 criminal records. The Dream.Org team will continue to advocate for the bill and it will be one of our priorities in the 2024 Kentucky legislative session.

Mississippi:

• In Mississippi, Empathy Leader Cynetra Freeman has been working to implement SB 2082, which officially went into effect on July 1st to reduce financial burdens on incarcerated Mississippians. The team in Mississippi worked tirelessly to ensure that this bill was passed into law, but they know that the work is not over. Implementation is vital and Cynetra and partners are working to guarantee relief to incarcerated Mississippians.

Missouri:

• In Missouri, we are collaborating with our Empathy Leader, ML Smith, to plan for the 2024 legislative session. In addition, ML is working to bring more directly impacted folks into the work and to build more coalitions in the state, which will help push for meaningful criminal justice reform in the 2024 session. 

Oregon:

• HB 2535, a bill that provides access to doulas for pregnant people who are incarcerated, has been signed by the Governor and is the law of the land! This is a huge win for our Empathy Leader Nova Sweet, partnering organizations, and so many directly impacted mothers who have fought tirelessly for this bill. 

Pennsylvania: 

• After the unanimous passage of HB 900, the Pennsylvania Dignity bill, in the House, our coalition continues to meet with legislators in the Senate and to educate the public about the importance of the bill. We are working to get a Senate Judiciary hearing in the next couple of months. We want this year to be the year that PA women finally receive more dignity while incarcerated - and bring the number of states where we have enacted these transformative reforms to 16. 

Washington:

• During the legislative interim period, our Empathy Leaders continue to educate the community and legislators in the state of Washington. The work never stops and our leaders are building and strategizing for the 2024 session - focusing on making the recently passed HB 1324 retroactive, increasing the bill’s impact in minimizing the legacy of unfair juvenile sentencing. 

Wisconsin:

• Dream.Org team is prioritizing preventing SB 101, from becoming law, ramping up a campaign for Governor Evers to veto the bill. The misguided SB 101, a Len Bias Law, adopts an excessively punitive stance towards individuals grappling with substance abuse disorder. The law would raise the sentence of anyone who supplies drugs to someone who dies of an overdose. This means that even friends, family members, or partners of individuals who succumb to drug use can be sentenced to 60 years in prison. We believe Wisconsin community members caught up in the cycle of drug abuse and addiction deserve supportive services, not punishment. 

The Dream.Org Justice team and our incredible Empathy Leaders continue to fight to change the landscape of criminal justice in our country. None of this work would be possible without your partnership. I look forward to sharing additional updates with you in September. Until then, have a wonderful summer.