DEATH PENALTY REFERENDUM COULD BE DEAD ISSUE
Tuesday, March 7th, 2006 -- 2:16 PM
A resolution that would allow voters to give their opinions on whether Wisconsin should have the death penalty appears poised to pass the State Senate, but it?s likely ?dead? in the Assembly.A Senate Committee passed a resolution yesterday that would send the referendum to voters in September. It?s expected to win full-senate approval. But Assembly Criminal Justice Committee chair Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) doesn?t plan on giving it a hearing this session.
"There's a 99% chance it will come to my committee - in fact, I have the Assembly companion bill in my committee right now," Suder says. "We've not held a hearing. I've not been asked to hold a hearing. To be honest, we're very late here in the session."
Suder says he supports the death penalty in the most serious cases ? including terrorist acts - but wants to make sure any referendum is narrowly worded.
"It is not my intention to block things. I think we really need to be careful about this," Suder says. "If we do hold a hearing, we need to give ample notice and take a serious look at the legislation."
"Right now, I'm not inclined to hold a hearing on it."
Suder says if an Assembly hearing on the referendum isn?t held in two weeks, the chances of the referendum going to voters in September is ?pretty bleak?. Capital punishment was outlawed in Wisconsin more than 150 years ago.
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