TOPEKA – The full Senate is scheduled to debate a proposal to abolish the death penalty this afternoon.
The chamber convenes at 2:30 p.m. and the Senate Bill 208 is the only item set for discussion.
The measure would abolish the death penalty for cases sentenced after July 1, 2009. Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, proposed the bill as a cost-saving measure.
Supporters of abolishing the death penalty maintain that the cases are costly and do not deter crime.
The state reinstated the death penalty in 1994. While there are currently 10 men on death row, the state has not executed anyone since 1965.
Leaders on both sides of the aisle have said they don’t have a feel for how the votes might turn out.
The debate will be broadcast over the web, a link is at the Senate’s web pages.
For more on the debate, keep checking Wichitopekington for blog updates.