Senate Votes to Abolish Death Penalty 21-16

Votes (4.00 / 1)

So, James and Rice didn't vote.  I guess that was a long cigarette for Rice. 

It is interesting that Palaia and McCullough voted "aye."  Maybe McCullough was channeling Gormley for a bit.  :-)

This may be an interesting portent for the prospects for marriage equality.  I don't see any of the 16 "nay" votes supporting it.  James and Rice won't.  And you probably lose Allen, Bryant, McCullough, Palaia, Sarlo and Sweeney.  That would net you 15, but I wouldn't be so sure you wouldn't lose another one or two.  But, for the new session, you lose Martin for Pennachhio.  But, we'll see how Baroni, Beck and O'Toole vote on death penalty abolition in the Assembly.

All in all, a "pretty" day rather than an "ugly" one.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 23:05:53 PM UTC

Baroni will vote no (0.00 / 0)

Not clear what Greenstein will do,

according to statements to Isherwood of the Trenton Times

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by: kwilkinson @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 02:11:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe She'll Finally Feel Able To Move Out Of Baroni's Shadow (0.00 / 0)

I doubt if Baroni is going to turn out to be the closet progressive that some people convinced themselves he would be.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 04:11:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

twice (4.00 / 2)

Today is one of those days when I consider our legislature's actions to be just, decent, and democratic (little D) -- just what government should do, ideally.  Twice in the past year, once with civil unons, even though the rights afforded there don't go far enough, and now with this senate passage of the death penalty bill, have I felt particularly proud of our state, its government, and its just and moral actions. 

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by: Martin @ Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 23:38:37 PM UTC

Don't you have a problem... (0.00 / 0)

With an issue with this kind of passion behind it being shot through in the lame duck. For me, for purely financial reasons, I have no problem with death penalty abolishment. But I have a real problem with the legislature waiting until after the election in this lame duck session to act on issues of this magnitude. There is no reason to be proud of legislators who refuse to be held accountable for their actions.
In the purest definition, the legislators are elected to represent their constitutents. If they felt their constituents would hold them accountable at the polls, and they represent their constituents, they then really have no business voting against their constiuents wishes (for or against this particular bill). To get around that by waiting for lame duck bothers me (with this or any other significant legislation)

I get the feeling sometimes that our legislators feel they know what's best for us, regardless of our feelings on the subject, and these lame duck sessions packed with bills that will not see proper debate or public input reinforce that feeling for me.

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:19:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Very Profound Answer: It All Depends (4.00 / 1)

The issue of capital punishment has been debated for a long time and we received the report of the study commission a few months ago.  This is certainly not being rushed.  But, no one who made it past Poli Sci 101 was ever going to schedule this vote before the election.  I doubt if Allen and McCullough would have voted in favor then, for example.

The real problem in lame duck is spending that gets passed without being vetted.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 04:08:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Imagine Press Releases Like This During The Election (0.00 / 0)

http://politickernj....

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by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 22:38:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yea! (0.00 / 0)

I'm very glad this passed.  IMO, a mark for rationality over barbarism.

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by: tracey @ Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 00:41:37 AM UTC

How will it fair in the Assembly?? (0.00 / 0)

I heard Van Drew is voting against abolishing the death penalty...so what's the difference between him and outgoing Asselta?? At least McCullough stood up for principles and people.

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by: Reality Jax @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 01:07:29 AM UTC