NCADP ACTION ALERT
Issued: January 15, 1997
Expires: February 15, 1997
The Governor of Iowa is pushing to reintroduce the death penalty. Given the recent changes in the composition of the state house, he has a good chance of succeeding. Debate about his proposal is expected to begin in the state senate in early February. If it passes the senate, debate in the house will start soon after. The following is a message from our friends in Iowa:
"With the November elections, the Republican Party gained control of the State Senate (29-21). The Democratic Party made gains in the State House, but the Republicans remain in control (54-46). There are 9 new senators and 21 new representatives."The governor, who was not up for reelection, is Republican. Thus, Republicans control both chambers of the legislature and the executive offices.
"The governor is once again pushing the death penalty. He suggests that the reason for Republicans gaining control of the Senate is because anti-death penalty Democrats were opposed by pro-death penalty Republicans.
"The Republican leadership of the Senate and House have stated that they believe there are not enough votes to pass a death penalty bill. Death penalty opponents must not believe a death penalty will surely be defeated. Iowans Against the Death Penalty and lobbyists from a variety of organizations have been counting expected votes on the death penalty issue. It appears that the vote in both chambers will be extremely close.
"It is expected that a death penalty bill will be introduced in the Senate shortly after the legislative session begins on January 13. We need to have legislators hear from those opposed to the death penalty."
Please contact at least one of the following Republican state senators: Dennis Black, Don Gettings, Rod Halvorson, Steven Hansen, Wally Horn, Steve King, Jim Lind, and Mary Lundby.
The Honorable (Insert Name)
Senate Chamber
State Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 242-6108--Fax
Please let them know:
--You have sympathy for victims of violent crime.
--The death penalty is not a deterrent.
--The death penalty is more expensive than life imprisonment.
--The death penalty (killing) is no way to show that killing is wrong.
--Any other information you deem useful.
Also, please send letters of support and encouragement to The Honorable John Redwine at the above address. Senator Redwine is a newly elected Republican who opposes the death penalty.
Letters to the editor should be sent also. Each of the following newspapers is located in a key congressional district:
Des Moines Register
Box 957
Des Moines, IA 50304
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Box 511
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Waterloo Courier
Park and Commercial
Waterloo, IA 50704
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Box 680
Dubuque, IA 52001
Quad City Times
124 East 2nd Street
Davenport, IA 52801
For more information, please contact:
Steve Pohlmeyer @ (319) 377-2473
