The big issues in '95.

• Author: Griffin, Denise
• Position: Legislative issues - Includes related article

There'll be no shortage of problems to challenge new legislators this year, according to NCSL's annual leaders' survey.

For the first time since NCSL began its annual survey of state legislative leaders five years hago, a major shift is occurring in states' priorities. Preliminary results for State Legislative Priorities 1995 place crime and criminal justice issues slightly ahead of the usual mainstays of state concerns: education, health care and budgets. Previously, crime ranked no higher than fourth.

"Change" is the watchword for 1995--change in priorities, change in majority parties throughout the states and certainly change in the cast charged with guiding their states through the mid-1990s.

CRIME AND JUVENILE JUSTICE

Does the virtual Republican sweep in November account for the increased prominence of crime issues on states' agendas? NCSL survey results don't suggest it: Among leaders placing it at the top of their priorities, there is an even split between Democrats and Republicans. Responses show crime issues crossing both party and geographic lines, concern for public safety the common thread. James A. Scott, Florida's new Senate president, says unequivocally, "Public safety must be government's first priority."

The rising incidence of youthful crime has pushed juvenile justice ever higher among states' priorities. Getting tough on juveniles who commit felonies and making it easier for them to be tried as adults are recurring themes. Idaho, Kansas, Missouri and Washington are among states that will have a special focus on juvenile justice.

Washington's last major rewrite of its juvenile justice code was 16 years ago, "Our enactment of a major anti-violence measure last year brought to light many concerns about our juvenile justice system," says Senate Majority Leader Marcus Gaspard. But any changes in this area will be "inextricably intertwined with their fiscal impact and the state spending limit."

Truth in sentencing and prison construction are carryover concerns for several states. In South Carolina, an overall review of incarceration is expected; abolition of parole for violent offenders is possible.

In Pennsylvania, the governor has promised to call a special session to focus on crime-fighting legislation. "We are prepared to fulfill this promise by incorporating into it our own crime-fighting measures," says Speaker Matthew J. Ryan, "such as toughening up on juvenile criminals, strengthening rape and child protection laws...