Legislative Update – New Hampshire Ends Capital Punishment
The New Hampshire General Court, the state legislature, overrode Governor Chris Sununu’s veto to end the death penalty. With a two-thirds majority needed for final action, the New Hampshire Senate voted 16-8 on Thursday. The House had voted to override May 23.
“It’s up to us to stop this practice that is archaic, costly, discriminatory and final,” Sen. Melanie Levesque said during Senate debate prior to the vote.
New Hampshire has not executed anyone since 1939 and there is only one person on death row. The new law would not apply to that inmate, Michael Addison, who killed a police officer in 2006. Addison is black in an overwhelmingly white state. Race and the clearly disproportionate number of blacks on death row was at the center of the legislative debate.
New Hampshire becomes the last state in New England to ban the death penalty. 21 states nationwide have now abolished capital punishment, and an additional five states — California, Colorado, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania — have governor-imposed moratoriums. Following a number of horrific, “botched” executions during the past decade, in which prisoners languished in pain before dying, states have been even more reluctant to execute.
This Week in the States
- Oklahoma – Stitt signs first budget deal
- Vermont – Vermont House adjourns, Senate returns next week
- Louisiana – Will sports betting become legal in Louisiana?
- Illinois – Illinois House Democrats plan to link casino expansion to sports betting
- Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s new Democratic governor, GOP not getting along
- New York – Where 5 Big Issues Stand In Albany As Session Nears End
- Connecticut – Clock ticking for Nevada Democrats to pass major reforms
- Hawaii – County prepares for 2020 mail-in election
- Connecticut – $15 Minimum Wage Bill Signed Into Law In Connecticut
- Illinois – Full Agenda Facing Illinois Lawmakers Before Close Of Week
- Massachusetts – Casinos, DraftKings voice differing views on sports betting
- Nebraska – Governor Makes No Cuts In Approving Budget
- Louisiana – Louisiana House approves ban on cellphone use while driving
- Oregon – Oregon Campaign Finance Bill Might Curb Really Big Donations
- California – California Leaders Won’t Change Utilities’ Liability For Now
- Texas – After ‘Beer to Go’ Legislative Win, Dallas Craft Brewers Plan Their Next Moves
- Wisconsin – Wisconsin hemp bill draws opposition from law enforcement
- Ohio – Ohio lawmakers differ on sports betting legislation
- Alabama – Legislature approves state General Fund Budget
- Illinois – Illinois House passes marijuana legalization bill, approves balanced budget
Duane Morris Government Strategies can provide your business or organization with the solutions it needs to track these and other developments in state capitals across the country.
To learn more, please contact us at info@dmgs.com or 609-577-3687
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