Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Republicans in the state legislator, now in the minority, can do little but issue press releases and try to drum up opposition to measures favored by Democrats. Assemblyman Chris Tague, who represents the 102nd Assembly District including Greene County, Saugerties, and Schoharie County, issued a press release about a bill that proposes to “create a process to evaluate older prisoners to determine whether they pose a significant public safety risk.” Tague thinks the proposal will endanger public safety. “Fast tracking parole to aged inmates over 55 opens the door to all manner of criminals to be released back onto our streets,” he said. The bill, in part, reads, “Older inmates who have served long sentences present the lowest risk of recidivism of any other class of inmates.” The Board of Parole to evaluate any inmates eligible for possible parole release, under the bills terms, so it really is just widening the number of inmates that board can consider. Tague admits the bill “doesn’t order their release, (but) it’s a foot in the door for those who commit some of the most heinous crimes to be let loose, even if they haven’t served their minimum sentence.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.