In the first real achievement of the newly all-Democratic legislature, both houses have announced a repeal of the most invidious provisions of the 1970s drug laws characterized by draconian prison sentences even for first-time offenders. Opponents have long argued that the law, which disproportionately affects minorities, is racist in its application. The Times:

The deal would repeal many of the mandatory minimum prison sentences now in place for lower-level drug felons, giving judges the authority to send first-time nonviolent offenders to treatment instead of prison.

The plan would also expand drug treatment programs and widen the reach of drug courts at a cost of at least $50 million.

There have been several attempts over the years to reform Rockefeller, all of them blocked by posturing republicans, notably George Pataki and Joe Bruno. The Times, again:

Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat who has led the effort in the Senate to overhaul the drug statutes, said he was confident he had support in the Senate to pass the plan.

“It’s no secret the Senate’s old majority was the primary barrier to reforming our drug laws,” he said. “But this is one of the reasons we fought so hard to take the majority. This is what our supporters have expected us to do.”

The legislation hasn't passed either house yet, but with all three men in the room on board, it should be voted on soon. Good work.