"Oregon legislator prepares death-penalty repeal bill, as anniversary of execution moratorium approaches," is the Oregonian report written by Helen Jung.
When Gov. John Kitzhaber declared a year ago that he would block any executions as long as he's governor, he also challenged legislators to help turn the moratorium into law.
The system is inequitable and immoral, said Kitzhaber, who made the announcement when he halted a pending execution for two-time killer Gary Haugen. "I am calling on the Legislature to bring potential reforms before the 2013 legislative session and encourage all Oregonians to engage in the long overdue debate that this important issue deserves," he said.
It's an invitation that state Rep. Mitch Greenlick, a longtime opponent of capital punishment, is happy to accept.
Greenlick plans to introduce a bill that would propose a constitutional amendment to repeal the death penalty, replacing it instead with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.If legislators pass the bill, the proposed amendment would then go to a vote by Oregonians in the 2014 general election. Voters must approve a constitutional amendment by a simple majority.
Earlier coverage from Oregon begins at the link.
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