Post by SoulTrainOz on Jun 18, 2006 3:41:04 GMT -5
for vote.
Island Republicans say Assembly Speaker Silver is getting in the way of democracy
Staten Island Republican lawmakers called yesterday on state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow death penalty legislation to come to the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
"All we're asking for is to let democracy take root in this state and
allow a vote," Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio said outside Borough Hall, where he was joined by Assemblyman Matthew Mirones. "This legislation should not be held in captivity by the Democratic leadership."
The state Senate this week passed legislation that would reinstate the death penalty, as well as a separate bill that would apply the death penalty to cop killers.
The state Court of Appeals in 2004 effectively scrapped the death penalty, ruling that a part of the sanction was unconstitutional.
"Why would you not want the death penalty for someone who killed a police officer?" asked Ignizio (R-South Shore).
"We're not looking for wholesale executions to take place," added Mirones (R-East Shore/Brooklyn).
Joining the lawmakers was GOP Assembly hopeful Anthony Xanthakis, an attorney who hopes to replace the retiring Mirones in the Assembly.
"The Assembly majority has an opportunity to make a statement on the value of innocent human life," he said. "This should be a democratic process."
The Democratic candidate in the race, attorney Janele Hyer-Spencer, opposes the death penalty.
"I haven't seen it be a deterrent," she said in a telephone interview.
However, Ms. Hyer-Spencer added that she would like to see the Senate legislation "discussed and debated" on the Assembly floor.
"I like the fact there's a dialogue on the death penalty," she said. "I'm always in favor of a fully fleshed-out debate."
Democratic lawmakers have said they doubt the measure will come up for a vote before the end of the legislative session next week.
Assemblyman John Lavelle (D-North Shore) this week said the sanction increasingly is seen as a "misapplied penalty."
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island), who supports the death penalty, said the majority of the Assembly's Democratic lawmakers oppose the legislation.
(source: Staten Island Advance)
Island Republicans say Assembly Speaker Silver is getting in the way of democracy
Staten Island Republican lawmakers called yesterday on state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow death penalty legislation to come to the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
"All we're asking for is to let democracy take root in this state and
allow a vote," Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio said outside Borough Hall, where he was joined by Assemblyman Matthew Mirones. "This legislation should not be held in captivity by the Democratic leadership."
The state Senate this week passed legislation that would reinstate the death penalty, as well as a separate bill that would apply the death penalty to cop killers.
The state Court of Appeals in 2004 effectively scrapped the death penalty, ruling that a part of the sanction was unconstitutional.
"Why would you not want the death penalty for someone who killed a police officer?" asked Ignizio (R-South Shore).
"We're not looking for wholesale executions to take place," added Mirones (R-East Shore/Brooklyn).
Joining the lawmakers was GOP Assembly hopeful Anthony Xanthakis, an attorney who hopes to replace the retiring Mirones in the Assembly.
"The Assembly majority has an opportunity to make a statement on the value of innocent human life," he said. "This should be a democratic process."
The Democratic candidate in the race, attorney Janele Hyer-Spencer, opposes the death penalty.
"I haven't seen it be a deterrent," she said in a telephone interview.
However, Ms. Hyer-Spencer added that she would like to see the Senate legislation "discussed and debated" on the Assembly floor.
"I like the fact there's a dialogue on the death penalty," she said. "I'm always in favor of a fully fleshed-out debate."
Democratic lawmakers have said they doubt the measure will come up for a vote before the end of the legislative session next week.
Assemblyman John Lavelle (D-North Shore) this week said the sanction increasingly is seen as a "misapplied penalty."
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island), who supports the death penalty, said the majority of the Assembly's Democratic lawmakers oppose the legislation.
(source: Staten Island Advance)