Nebraska legislators have advanced a bill that would scrap mandatory minimum prison sentences and the habitual criminal statute.
Senator Beau McCoy of Omaha argued against the measure, stating statistics from the Nebraska Crime Commission demonstrate those laws have reduced crime.
But, Senator Paul Schumacher of Columbus says the crimes covered by those state laws are serious and already carry heavy penalties.
The bill advanced on a 28-to-9 vote with 10 senators abstaining.
