05-27-2015, 08:15 PM
NEBRASKA REPEALS THE DEATH PENALTY
Last week, Nebraska lawmakers voted to ban the death penalty, positioning their state to become the 19th in the country to end capital punishment.
In deep-red territory with a heavily Republican legislature, the vote made Nebraska the first conservative state to adopt the progressive reform since North Dakota did so in 1973, and is a sign of the right's growing willingness to work with the left on criminal justice reform as a means of reducing governmental overreach and spending.
But while Nebraska's legislators are ready to end the practice, Nebraska's governor is not. Governor Ricketts feels that the state legislator is out of touch with the people of the state, the majority of whom he says support the death penalty. He vetoed the death penalty repeal on Tuesday. But, the ban passed with enough "yes" votes to override his veto and the ban is now in law in Nebraska.
A majority of Americans – though a dwindling one – support the death penalty. According to a Pew Research Center poll from last month, more than 50 percent of Democrats oppose capital punishment, and more than 75 percent of Republicans support it. Though support is dropping in both camps, Democrats are stepping away from the death penalty at a much faster rate. Ricketts, however, is staying put – even as Republicans in his state change course.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/nebraska-governor-vetoes-death-penalty-ban-despite-likely-override-20150527#ixzz3bO5r7Wrb
Last week, Nebraska lawmakers voted to ban the death penalty, positioning their state to become the 19th in the country to end capital punishment.
In deep-red territory with a heavily Republican legislature, the vote made Nebraska the first conservative state to adopt the progressive reform since North Dakota did so in 1973, and is a sign of the right's growing willingness to work with the left on criminal justice reform as a means of reducing governmental overreach and spending.
But while Nebraska's legislators are ready to end the practice, Nebraska's governor is not. Governor Ricketts feels that the state legislator is out of touch with the people of the state, the majority of whom he says support the death penalty. He vetoed the death penalty repeal on Tuesday. But, the ban passed with enough "yes" votes to override his veto and the ban is now in law in Nebraska.
A majority of Americans – though a dwindling one – support the death penalty. According to a Pew Research Center poll from last month, more than 50 percent of Democrats oppose capital punishment, and more than 75 percent of Republicans support it. Though support is dropping in both camps, Democrats are stepping away from the death penalty at a much faster rate. Ricketts, however, is staying put – even as Republicans in his state change course.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/nebraska-governor-vetoes-death-penalty-ban-despite-likely-override-20150527#ixzz3bO5r7Wrb