The Louisiana Legislature this week overwhelmingly approved sweeping legislation designed to overhaul the state's tough drug laws. The legislation cuts drug sentences, repeals mandatory minimum sentences for many nonviolent crimes, and creates a "risk-review" panel to review the sentences of certain inmates to see if they should receive a pardon or parole.

The reform effort was driven primarily by fiscal considerations. As the state with the highest per capita incarceration rate in the nation, Louisiana simply couldn't afford to keep enforcing their tough drug laws. As one Republican legislator put it, "It's costing us too much to lock these people up and throw away the key." The drug law reforms are expected to eventually save the state $60 million a year in reduced prison costs.

The legislation, which passed 34-5 in the Senate and 64-37 in the House, had overwhelming bi-partisan support. Legislatures in many other states, most notably New York, Connecticut, and Washington, are considering similar drug sentencing reforms.