Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 13, 2006 16:29:01 GMT -5
Nussle says he'd push for death penalty as governor
Republican candidate for governor Jim Nussle said Tuesday that reviving
the death penalty in Iowa would be one of his legislative priorities next
year if he wins the November election.
Although Nussle and his Democratic rival, Chet Culver, each support
capital punishment, Culver has said he would not actively push for
reinstatement.
Nussle said the issue will be on his crime-fighting agenda, along with
beefing up funding and staffing for the Iowa State Patrol and at the
states prisons.
"I believe the death penalty should be an option for judges and juries in
Iowa, in particular for heinous crimes involving felony murder. That's
where I believe we should head," Nussle said in an interview.
I think a lot will be determined in the election for the Legislature,"
Nussle said.
Culver was as the only pro-death penalty candidate in a 4-way Democratic
primary contest in June. He sought to de-emphasize the issue then and that
hasnt changed, according to his spokesperson Taylor West.
She said he favors capital punishment in a limited number of cases, such
as the abduction and murder of a child.
"He's not running for governor to reinstate the death penalty," West said.
Death penalty proposals have faced an uphill struggle at the Statehouse in
recent years. And it's much less likely that the issue will reach the next
governor's desk if Democrats succeed in winning control of the Senate,
House or both.
Democrats are favored to take over the now evenly-divided Senate, where
Republicans are defending 6 open seats this fall. During the past 2
legislative sessions Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council
Bluffs has blocked votes on the death penalty.
An analysis by Lee Newspapers and Radio Iowa news in February found that
29 of 50 state senators opposed reinstatement.
Gronstal said it's uncertain whether elections will change the equation.
"Republicans are big about talking about the death penalty in October of
even-numbered years," Gronstal said. "I expect the Republicans to attempt
to make that an issue."
Nussle said also wants to direct more dollars to the state patrol and
corrections department. He contends troopers and prison guards have been
forced to work long hours and give up vacation time amid budget
constraints.
"The officers are concerned for themselves and concerned for Iowa's public
safety," Nussle said.
(source: Globe Gazette)
Republican candidate for governor Jim Nussle said Tuesday that reviving
the death penalty in Iowa would be one of his legislative priorities next
year if he wins the November election.
Although Nussle and his Democratic rival, Chet Culver, each support
capital punishment, Culver has said he would not actively push for
reinstatement.
Nussle said the issue will be on his crime-fighting agenda, along with
beefing up funding and staffing for the Iowa State Patrol and at the
states prisons.
"I believe the death penalty should be an option for judges and juries in
Iowa, in particular for heinous crimes involving felony murder. That's
where I believe we should head," Nussle said in an interview.
I think a lot will be determined in the election for the Legislature,"
Nussle said.
Culver was as the only pro-death penalty candidate in a 4-way Democratic
primary contest in June. He sought to de-emphasize the issue then and that
hasnt changed, according to his spokesperson Taylor West.
She said he favors capital punishment in a limited number of cases, such
as the abduction and murder of a child.
"He's not running for governor to reinstate the death penalty," West said.
Death penalty proposals have faced an uphill struggle at the Statehouse in
recent years. And it's much less likely that the issue will reach the next
governor's desk if Democrats succeed in winning control of the Senate,
House or both.
Democrats are favored to take over the now evenly-divided Senate, where
Republicans are defending 6 open seats this fall. During the past 2
legislative sessions Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council
Bluffs has blocked votes on the death penalty.
An analysis by Lee Newspapers and Radio Iowa news in February found that
29 of 50 state senators opposed reinstatement.
Gronstal said it's uncertain whether elections will change the equation.
"Republicans are big about talking about the death penalty in October of
even-numbered years," Gronstal said. "I expect the Republicans to attempt
to make that an issue."
Nussle said also wants to direct more dollars to the state patrol and
corrections department. He contends troopers and prison guards have been
forced to work long hours and give up vacation time amid budget
constraints.
"The officers are concerned for themselves and concerned for Iowa's public
safety," Nussle said.
(source: Globe Gazette)