That's the title of an editorial published in today's Gainesville Sun.
Florida might not be No. 1 in job creation, but we're giving Texas a run for its money in executions.
It's not exactly the re-election slogan that Gov. Rick Scott had in mind. Scott first ran for office on a platform of job creation, never contemplating the legacy that he would earn with the death penalty during his first term.
Scott has presided over 18 executions, the most carried out by any Florida governor in a single term since the death penalty was reinstituted in the 1970s, according to a story this week from Halifax Media Services.
With another execution scheduled for next week, Florida will have carried out seven executions this year — the same number as Texas, notorious for its zeal for executions.
Texas has another five executions scheduled this year, so is likely to again pass Florida. But that might change in the years ahead due to Florida's furious pace in issuing death sentences. Florida has sentenced more prisoners to death than Texas in every year since 2004.
And:
Rather than racing toward the national lead for executions, the state should work toward no longer having the disgraceful distinction of leading the nation in wrongful death sentences.
Earlier coverage from Florida begins at the link.
Comments