Tell California: Don't Borrow From Peter to Execute Paul

by Chris Cassidy · 2010-08-16 06:17:00 UTC
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California, you have got to be kidding me.

The state's Republican governor — you know, that yahoo by the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger — has spent his entire governorship besieged by the state's budget crisis. And now, apparently bent on being remembered as the governator who terminated any chance of California ever returning to fiscal stability, Schwarzenegger just announced his intent to pour $65 million into a new pet project.

What could possibly justify adding to California's $19 billion (with a "B") budget deficit? Could he be worried about the decline of a once-premier state university system? Might the governor be interested in restoring state employees to, say, full-time status? Is it possible he's investing in California's deteriorating infrastructure?

No. Schwarzenegger is building a new death row.

Forget about the fact that California already spends over $100 million annually on capital punishment. Even if you set aside the fact that the death sentence doesn't actually deter criminals — and that it's distributed in a racially discriminatory way — investing more in California's death penalty is utterly ridiculous. Considering that the state has only executed 13 people since 1976, even the most staunchly pro-death advocates have to be scratching their heads about Schwarzenegger's latest move.

Had your daily dose of ridiculous? Here comes another serving.

When reporters asked some poor sap at the Department of Finance about whether the move makes any sense, H.D. Palmer — Department spokesperson — told the Associated Press (get this) that borrowing money to build a new death row will save money in the long run. I know. I can barely write this post without cursing at the screen. What do these guys eat for breakfast? Last jaw-dropper: The $65 million will only cover the first year of added costs. Schwarzenegger's administration presently expects the total cost to be $356 million over the next three years. And you know how construction projects never exceed original estimates.

Outrage is worthless without action. Join Change.org and tell the governator what you think about investing hundreds of millions of dollars to prolong the life of  the state's broken capital punishment system.

Chris Cassidy writes on law, judicial nominations and the Constitution as they pertain to criminal justice reform and women's rights.
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