Church groups, unions, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, and others spoke against the bill. Among numerous arguments, they testified that private prisons have a high incidence of violence; that, in their quest to cut costs, corporations treat prisoners inhumanely; and that private prisons' economic benefits are dubious. For many critics, profit-making off of prisoners was immoral.
Chairman Mason, 25, who worked for sports teams after graduating from Pensacola Christian College in Florida, is a first-termer. After the hearing, he said using words like "racist" — even in describing an Arizona law — demeaned supporters of LD 1095.
Would he accept any piece of legislation being called racist?
"We're done, sir!" he exclaimed, and rushed away.
Related:
The new black, Little things, Anti-diversity is bad for business, More 
- The new black
When the Theater District's Cure Lounge ejected a group of black Harvard and Yale alums and grad students last month, many saw it as the latest confirmation of Boston's racist core.
- Little things
In the midst of the new Republican majority's mania to reduce the size and cost of state government, I offer some advice and a warning.
- Anti-diversity is bad for business
As he has done with environmental leaders, Governor Paul LePage needs a forum to hear from Maine immigrant and civil-rights leaders. This is made all the more urgent when one considers his "kiss my butt" sound-bite refusal to meet with the NAACP because they are a "special interest."
- LePage’s numbers
This week, we introduce a regular feature, Gubernatorial Scorecard. We'll evaluate Governor Paul LePage's recent moves.
- Class (warfare) is in session
In case you haven't heard yet, the US Census Bureau just announced its findings from the 2010 Census, and even a small state like ours saw a noticeable darkening of the population.
- We are family
Campaigning for office is easy. It's governing that's hard.
- The plan to turn Rhode Island red
The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved.
- GOP runners for federal office get squirrely; Dems and independents share answers
This year's candidate questionnaire was little different from past years.
- Racism in real estate
After more than a decade in the business, the real-estate agent knew that many landlords had very narrow ideas about whom they did and didn't want living in their apartments and houses. Most of them were fairly subtle about it. "I want the right people," they might say, being careful to couch their instructions in innocuous-sounding terms.
- Desegregation Day
Southie: Ugly Crowds at the Trouble Spot
- Living la vida Republican
Trying to find college Republicans in Boston is like looking for a flattering pair of jeans: they’re elusive — either too stiff or completely out of style.
- Less
Topics:
This Just In
, NAACP, racism, GOP, More
, NAACP, racism, GOP, Prison, Senate, Maine Civil Liberties Union, Rachel Talbot Ross, Corrections Corporation of America, James Mitchell, Slavery, Less
