Thank you, J A, for your work in TX. I would only add that in our state, there is no clear-cut red vs blue divide when it comes to criminal justice reform, including registry reform. Our membership represents the entire political spectrum. In the legislature, some of the would-be reformers, at least some of those willing to listen, are Republicans, while some of the most regressive legislation against former offenders is sponsored by Democrats, and there is little to no apparent pattern either way. That’s why we in FL have to look at our candidates on an individual basis and see who is open to doing the right thing, vs who is likely to do nothing, vs who is likely to sponsor retrograde bills.

I also read another TX Blog that has a running commentary on the abuses of the Texas Criminal [Justice – actually, there is little or no Justice found in the] System. The blog is called Grits for Breakfast.

Grits recently posted a blog about Police Reform:

https://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-primer-for-new-local-police-reform.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=79553&utm_campaign=0

I believe that The FAC could benefit from reviewing the recommendations proposed by grits. I recognize that the FAC already implements many of the actions Grits recommends, but maybe Grits has 1 or 2 that haven’t been tried.

Grit’s suggestion also lists things that an individual can do; that I’ve done, when communicating to my elected officials. I pointed out to my state rep that thousands of registered individuals live in his district, and that they have many other family members who are voting individuals. In TX, once a person is off parole, his voting rights are restored.

If you can, VOTE BLUE in Nov. Our lives and those of our loved ones may depend on it.