The state of Nebraska is projecting a $910 million tax revenue shortfall next year. That’s why it’s more important than ever for voters to understand the real costs of the death penalty.
What are the costs? Creighton Professor Dr. Ernie Goss released a study in August showing that Nebraska spends an average of $14.6 million annually to keep the death penalty, beyond what life imprisonment without the possibility of parole costs the state.
Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has claimed that the death penalty costs a small fraction of Dr. Goss’ estimate.
Let’s get to the bottom of this. Ask the Nebraska Attorney General to join Dr. Goss in a public forum to present their research on the cost of Nebraska's death penalty.
Your office has repeatedly suggested the costs of the death penalty are only a fraction of the costs outlined in Dr. Ernie Goss’ cost study that shows Nebraska spends an average of $14.6 million annually to keep the death penalty, beyond what life imprisonment (without the possibility of parole) costs the state.
The economic impact of the death penalty is an important component of the death penalty discussion, and voters deserve to have the real and whole truth. I request that you participate in a public forum between you and Dr. Goss to come together to both present your research on the cost of the death penalty so voters can analyze the data and decide for themselves what the economic costs of Nebraska’s death penalty are.
