Bucknell poll measures Trump influence on voters/What’s next for Marsy’s Law in PA

President Donald Trump waves after stepping off Marine One, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, right, and son Barron Trump, on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Washington. Trump is returning from a trip to his Florida resort. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, February 5, 2019:

A recent national survey conducted by Bucknell University’s Institute for Public Policy Polling (BIPP), found that President Trump’s performance in office is influencing whether voters wll vote for Republican candidates in the future. The poll results are not good news for Republicans, especially when it comes to young voters.

Seventeen percent of American voters under age 35 felt that, given President Trump’s performance in office, they would support Republican candidates in the future. By comparison, 45 percent of American voters ages 55 and over felt that Trump’s term would make them more likely to support a Republican candidate in the future.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss the Bucknell poll is Chris Ellis, Associate Professor of Political Science at Bucknell University.

Dr. Chris Ellis

Also, the U.S. Constitution and every state constitution provides legal rights for individuals accused of a crime and those convicted of a crime. Yet, in the U.S.many of those rights do not extend to victims of crime. Pennsylvania is one of those states without a Victims’ Rights Amendment to its Constitution.

That may be about to change.

It’s called Marsy’s Law for All and it was named after Marsalee Nicholas, a California co-ed murdered by an ex-boyfriend. Only a week after her death, her family members walked into a grocery store and were confronted by the accused murderer. They were not told that he had been released on bail.

The Marsy’s Law amendment will require that victims of violent crime and their families be treated with respect and dignity by the criminal justice system. And their safety must also be considered when courts set bail and release conditions.

The Marsy’s Law amendment passed the Pennsylvania General Assembly last session, and now needs one more passage by lawmakers before it goes to voters for a referendum.

Joining Smart Talk to talk about what is next for the legislation is Democratic Senator John Sabatina Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm, and Jen Riley, State Director, Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania.