Douglas County voters are deciding whether to support a half-cent sales tax, which would fund expansion of the county jail and provide more money for mental health services. Mail-in ballots are being delivered to voters across the county this week and will be counted on May 15. The ballot issue, known as Proposition 1, has been controversial, particularly the part about jail expansion. KPR's J. Schafer spoke with supporters and opponents of Prop 1. First, we'll hear from Jean Shepherd, a retired attorney who now leads the group Citizens for a Better Douglas County. She says the jail is overcrowded and getting worse.
That's Jean Shepherd with the group Citizens for a Better Douglas County, which is pushing for a yes vote on Proposition 1.
KPR's J. Schafer also spoke with an opponent of the ballot measure. Brent Hoffman, a financial advisor, is with the group Justice Matters and represents the Jail No coalition. Hoffman says his group supports increased funding for mental health services, but not a larger jail.
Brent Hoffman represents the Jail No coalition. He was speaking with KPR's J. Schafer.
Learn more by checking out the series of excellent reporting on this issue by the Lawrence Journal-World.
But wait, there's more from the Lawrence Journal-World:
