Will other states follow Oregon's example and crack down on DUI?

Carol Forsloff - Voters
in Oregon demonstrated democracy at work by voting with high marks
Measure 73, cracking down on drunk drivers and sex offenders.  Will
other states follow that lead?

The

details come about following a rapid succession of DUI crashes in
Oregon.  As a newspaper, Green Heritage News gets these frequently.
There were seven fatalities from crashes involving drunk drivers in
September.

Deena
Ryerson, assistant attorney general for Oregon, spoke for many people
in the state when she said, "If those were seven murders in 21 days, we
would be outraged."

The
tougher penalties for sex offenders don't cost much more money since
toughest offenders are locked up for life.  But it will cost Oregon a
good bit by requiring 90-day jail sentences for drunken drivers on their
third DUI conviction.  Sentencing guidelines can turn that into 13
months.

But Oregon considers this a call to action.

Given
the continuing problems caused by drunk drivers experts wonder if other
states will follow Oregon's example and enact tougher laws as well,
however the expenses involved may delay that considering the problems
already with states drowning in red ink and not being able to house the
prisoners already resident in the nation's jails.

Critics call Oregon's new voter referendum "an unfunded mandate."