Low-Key Death Penalty Debate for Senate Panel
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A perennially divisive issue, the death penalty, elicited little emotion yesterday when a panel of Maryland senators took up the question amid signals that the debate won't go any further this year.
The debate was subdued, and some senators stifled yawns or surfed the Internet to while away more than two hours of testimony on two bills about capital punishment. One would abolish the death penalty; the other would study the question.
"It's an inexcusable waste of resources in Maryland," said Sen. Lisa A. Gladden (D-Baltimore), arguing in support of a bill to repeal the death penalty.
Gladden, a lawyer, cited the high cost of prosecuting a death penalty case. Her bill would replace capital punishment with sentences of life without parole.
"You have the opportunity to settle the case, close the door and say, 'I never want to deal with this guy again,' " Gladden said.
-- Associated Press
Military Base Education Bill Clears House
The House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved legislation yesterday to address the higher-education needs of people moving to Maryland for military jobs.
The bill, introduced by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, passed 133 to 5. It allows funds from the state Higher Education Investment Fund to be used for community college and university programs connected with the base realignment process. The programs could help prepare people seeking jobs at and around military bases.
