Special to NKyTribune
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” I believe these words, spoken by revered civil rights activist Mahatma Gandhi, sum up the failure behind the Kentucky Senate to pass legislation that recognizes and forgives past mistakes of thousands of Kentuckians who are desperate for a second chance.
For many legislative sessions, the House of Representatives has passed versions of two bills; House Bill 40, which would expunge non-violent felons’ criminal records for those who have served their sentences and completed court ordered requirements, and House Bill 70, to restore voter rights to ex-felons.
In February, these bills again cleared the House Judiciary Committee and the full House by impressive bipartisan votes and were sent to the Senate.
House Bill 40 was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Whitney Westerfield. House Bill 70 was assigned to Senate State and Local Government, chaired by Senator Joe Bowen.
Neither bill was posted in committee or granted a hearing. They were ignored and forgotten, ironically being treated in the same fashion as the Kentuckians for whom the legislation would help.
The obvious and cruel refusal of the Republican controlled Senate to give House Bills 40 and 70 consideration is baffling.
Sen. Rand Paul has been an outspoken advocate for House Bill 70, even appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee last year to champion the legislation.
House Bill 40 gives ex-felons the opportunity to rebuild their lives, obtain good jobs, support their families and become productive members of their communities; tenets of Republican philosophy that promotes independence free of government entitlement.
The silent disregard for these life-changing bills leaves Kentuckians to draw our own conclusions about the moral fiber of the Senate.
Forgiveness, a virtue expounded upon repeatedly in the Bible, seems to be absent within the Republican Senate’s agenda. Or perhaps it is only granted in circumstances that promote personal or party redemption.
I contend that forgiveness in all circumstances should be earned and the portion of Kentucky’s population for whom House Bills 40 and 70 would apply have earned our forgiveness and the right to a better life.
I am profoundly disappointed about the failure of the Senate to give House Bill 40 and House Bill 70 the chance they deserve.
But I believe our capacity to forgive defines our existence while changing the future for those we no longer bear malice.
So I will rise above and forgive the Senate’s obstruction of progress and concentrate on continuing the fight for Kentuckians who wait in the wings for their deserved justice.
Rep. Darryl Owens is a Democrat from Louisville.
My husband and I went to prison in 2005 for meth charges ,I never had a speeding ticket until then . My husband had a couple of DUI’s when he was younger, In 2003 we were arrested for Meth my husband lost his job of 25 years,we lost our home and 17 acre’s his father had gave us as part of his inheritance and our trucks. The only thing we got to keep were our guns because it was a non violent crime I think we’re class B felons,and we can’t have those he use to hunt alot. Since coming home in 2007 and 2009 we haven’t been in any trouble. My husband works for the City and I see to my grandchildren,they would like to give him more responsibility but don’t know how to go about it. I believe every case is different and should be judged on by that case.Some one that killed someone might be a class D and someone stupid like us ends up a class B. Dont misunderstand me Im glad when I look back that God saved us from death. However paying for the rest of our lives seems unfair. Nancy Cline,29266 Louisville Rd. Cave City,Ky.42127