Some states are passing legislation to end the Death Penalty over financial concerns.

Kansas is leading the effort.  “Because of the downturn in the national economy, we are facing one of the largest budget deficits in our history,” state Sen. Carolyn McGinn, a Republican, said in an opinion piece posted on TheKansan.com Friday. “What is certain is we are all going to have to look at new and creative ways to fund state and community programs and services.”

The state would save more than $500,000 per case by not seeking the death penalty, McGinn wrote, money that could be used for “prevention programs, community corrections and other programs to decrease future crimes against society.”

Fiscal concerns are just a part of the argument.  In addition, a disproportionate rate of minorities are sentenced to death.  The legislation would seek to curb the disproportion.

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