BY MIKE CETERA
If that tough, new anti-meth legislation was so important, why haven't the politicians who convened a press conference to announce it two months ago convened a second one to demand their bills get a vote in both houses?
Lawmakers left Springfield last week without having approved any of the three pieces of legislation state and local officials championed during a late March press conference. Where's the moral righteousness, like that issued by Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner during the press conference? "If you're looking to set up a meth manufacturing house, don't do it here."
Call me cynical, but I don't expect to hear any complaints. The lawmakers already received their positive publicity.
To refresh:
* SB2401 allows DCFS to file a petition seeking the termination of parental rights of meth manufacturers. It was approved in the Senate, but is stuck in House purgatory, the Rules Committee.
* HB4927 also seeks the termination of parental rights. It was approved by the House, but is stuck in Senate purgatory, the Rules Committee.
* HB5219 would classify fires caused by meth manufacturing as arson, a felony. This piece of legislation has not had a vote in either chamber.
Time is running out on the 95th General Assembly. There's only a few session days in November that remain to get these bills passed. If these laws are important enough to shine a spotlight on them -- as Weisner, Tom Cross, Linda Chapa LaVia and Linda Holmes did -- it would be logical to expect some public pressure by these politicians to get the General Assembly to act.
Woohoo! Thanks Cynic Cetera for keeping us updated!
I'm just curious, why is Meth singled out? Is it okay to keep your kids if you create or sell coke or marijuana? Or do they have their own laws? It just seems like the legislation makes Coke Houses acceptable, because you ONLY lose your kids if its a Meth House.
This is a good post. You are correct Mike; this was a huge event for the paper to write about but then there is no follow up. I hate politicians who only put up front, a dog-n-pony show, when in reality nothing is done. The reason this wasn't pushed is because in reality there is no meth production problem in Aurora. It was all a publicity stunt; and a way for Dan Shomon to try and justify his high salary.