WHEREAS:

The Reagan Administration attempted to broaden the use of secrecy agreements and polygraph testing in its campaign against leaks of sensitive information; but later suspended implementation of the directive when Congress reacted; and

WHEREAS:

There are legislative initiatives to:

1. Expand federal authority for wiretapping without a warrant.
2. Create a new crime of solicitation, making certain speech illegal even if no criminal act results.
3. Abolish parole and increase maximum sentence lengths.
4. Make changes in the exclusionary rule and allow illegally obtained evidence to be admitted if the police claim that they seized it in "good faith".
5. Exempt files the CIA designates as "operational" from release through the Freedom of Information Act; and

WHEREAS:

In the last three years the legal climate is turning against individual rights; and

WHEREAS:

The FBI is considering the expansion of its national computerized file to include individuals not wanted for committing a crime but who the FBI thinks are suspicious.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes attacks of traditional constitutional guarantees and urges the continued support of individual rights and civil liberties.

SUBMITTED BY:

Peter Benner, Delegate
Council 6
St. Paul, Minnesota