A Dozen California Editorial Boards Oppose Prop 66
(From Press Release) – The campaign against Proposition 66, the initiative to change death penalty procedures in several significant ways, announced the endorsement of several high profile political leaders today, including U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S. Representative Ted Lieu, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, and Libertarian candidate for President Gary Johnson. They are joined by endorsements from several major unions in California, including: SEIU, ASCFME, UFCW, CNA, and CFT.
Concerns raised by opponents of Prop 66 include the increased risk of executing innocent people, the likelihood of more delays, and the high cost of enacting the measure.
The full list of endorsers of the No on Prop 66 campaign can be viewed here: http://nooncaprop66.org/who-we-are/
Sen. Boxer said, “Although Proposition 66 claims it will fix California’s death penalty system, it will in fact only spread its problems to the county-level, clogging up our court system without ensuring swift and certain justice.”
“I am deeply concerned that Prop. 66 will increase our risk of executing an innocent person in California,” said U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu. “This measure would require inexperienced lawyers to represent individuals facing execution, while stripping away fundamental safeguards in our legal system that protect the innocent. The execution of an innocent person is irreversible and indefensible; we simply cannot afford such a costly mistake. Californians, we are better than this. Please vote No on Prop. 66.”
Other prominent opponents of the measure include the former warden of San Quentin State Prison, Jeanne Woodford, who oversaw four executions, and Donald Heller, who authored California’s current death penalty statute.
A dozen newspaper editorial boards across the state have also joined the growing chorus in opposition to Prop 66. They include:
- Bakersfield Californian
- Chico Enterprise Record
- East Bay Times
- Los Angeles Daily News
- Los Angeles Times
- San Jose Mercury News
- Monterey Herald
- Press Democrat
- Sacramento Bee
- Santa Cruz Sentinel
- San Francisco Chronicle
- Santa Clarita Valley Signal
- Ventura County Star
According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), Prop 66 would, “increase taxpayer costs by tens of millions” with even more “unknown” costs in the future. The full report by the LAO is available here
