Jerry Brown is going to save the state $356 million by scrapping plans to build a new Death Row. Go, Jerry. Now if he really wants to save money he can scrap the death penalty.
It’s actually one thing a governor can do on his own; he can just issue a blanket stay of execution to all condemned inmates. He can, without ever having to get a single Republican vote in the Legislature, call off executions in California. I know he’s not personally a fan of the death penalty. Wouldn’t it be wild if Jerry became the first governor in the country to get rid of it not because of morals or questions about innocence (both of which are excellent reasons to stop the state from killing people) but because it was a waste of money?
Most people on death row die of old age. Life without parole IS a death sentence; you’re going to die behind bars. Call it off on fiscal grounds, guv — and Let the Republicans defend this wasteful state spending.