Next on the agenda should be the School Zone laws, which are highly discriminatory against inner city dwellers, the vast majority of whom live, work, and use their drugs within 1,000 feet of one school or the other.

It's about time. These crack laws contributed to the racial disparity in prisoner ratios. The new Bill will help reduce the effects of de-facto discrimination, but it is only a chip in the iceberg. I agree with John French, the next change will have to be in the School Zone laws. We need to keep our schools safe, but there are other ways of doing it without oppressing a whole community.

I have to wonder what is wrong with the 9 on the committee who voted to keep this racist sentencing in place. Probably the same people who quote the higher number of blacks in prison to feel superior - you're not - the law is unfair!

It's a fact these laws were put into place to directly affect African Americans and Latinos. That's not even to be argued, in my opinion. My issue is why is it just in cocaine or sentencing. To me, this law isn't necessary because the original should have simply been repealed completely as it is unconstitutional in itself. If they want to make a real statement, consider EQUAL prosecution/sentencing in all laws. The rich can't swing their big "influence" in front of lawyers' hungry mouths. Whites won't get off with a slap on the wrist while Blacks and Hispanics get years. I still find it funny when it applied to Blacks and Hispanics, the sentencing was severe, to the point that it would destroy a man's life. But, in equalizing the sentencing, they chose to go easy. I guess there's a difference between White treatment and Black treatment. Race shouldn't be a consideration at all but in this law, it still is a factor.