FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:
State Representative David Craig
(R-Town of Vernon) (608) 266-3363 November 4, 2011
REP. CRAIG: CASTS VOTE IN FAVOR OF 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND MANDATE RELIEF
Madison: “I was proud to cast my vote in favor of Assembly Bill 69, the Castle Doctrine bill, this week,” said Representative David Craig (R-Town of Vernon). “Castle Doctrine was a long time in coming but it is a necessary protection of our 2nd Amendment rights, and our ability to protect ourselves and our families.”
The final version of the bill, approved by both the Assembly and the Senate this week and ready for the Governor’s approval, includes “Stand Your Ground” language, which Rep. Craig fought to include in the bill. “Stand Your Ground’ language basically prohibits a judge from finding that an individual who used force to defend himself or herself had a “duty to flee” before resorting to using force.
The Assembly also passed Assembly Bill 303, yesterday, which allows local governments to opt out of the state’s comprehensive planning law, also known as Smart Growth.
“I was pleased to vote to allow local governments to opt-out of the state’s comprehensive planning law,” said Rep. Craig, “The Smart Growth mandate has been very difficult for some communities and this bill gives those communities a way out. Instead of initiating a costly and time-consuming process to amend their comprehensive plan, communities that opt-out will be able to change their zoning and land use ordinances with much more flexibility, while possibly saving money at the same time.”
Senate Bill 95, which lifts a number of education mandates, was also passed by the Assembly and is now on its way to the Governor.
“I voted for Senate Bill 95 because I believe we need more local control and less state government intervention in our school districts,” said Rep. Craig. “Senate Bill 95 gives local school districts the flexibility they need and have requested.”
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