‘Hard Time’ Initiative Passes, Means Longer Prison Sentences

The Legislature approved the citizen-sponsored “Hard Time for Armed Crime” initiative Thursday, meaning longer prison stays for gun-related crimes and the death penalty for drive-by shootings.

Although the measure was pushed by the Republicans as part of their “Contract With Washington State,” the initiative sailed through the Democratic-controlled Senate on a bipartisan 39-5 vote. It passed the Republican-controlled House, 88-6, in January. The measure does not require the governor’s signature and now becomes law.

The initiative imposes stiffer prison sentences for crimes committed while in possession of a deadly weapon. It also eliminates “good time” early release of such inmates. And it imposes the death penalty for drive-by shootings and slayings committed to win membership in a gang.

The measure was drafted by the same citizen backers who wrote the nation’s first “Three Strikes, You’re Out” law.

“It’s a proud day for the state of Washington,” said Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, sponsor of similar legislation that bogged down in the Democratic-controlled Legislature last year.

“It’s truly a sad day for the state of Washington,” said Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma. She supported it but said it’s a sad commentary on society that more and more children are growing up violent and resorting to armed crime.