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MEDIA ADVISORY FROM FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)29 April 2003
CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548 FADP URGES FULL FUNDING FOR CCRC As 2003 legislative session comes to a close, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and other concerned Floridians are this week contacting House and Senate negotiators to urge passage of the Senate version of the budget with regard to the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel (CCRC) budget allocation. "Defunding CCRC is generally considered to be a bad idea, even by pro-death penalty conservatives," said Abe Bonowitz, Director of FADP. "But then, Governor Bush is just itching for more executions, and so he is trying to wield the budget axe over the state-run office that stands between the prisoners and the poison." CCRC does not have to be abolished through legislative action -- they just have to eliminate the funding. The Florida House of Representatives has done exactly that in the budget it approved, while the Florida Senate has maintained full funding. The issue is expected to be decided this week when negotiators from the two bodies meet to reconcile the two proposed budgets. "Most people I have spoken with believe the Senate version will prevail in conference, but nothing is certain," said Bonowitz. ""If the State is going to have the death penalty, then it must maintain a state agency with the resources and responsibility to ensure those facing death have the best possible legal representation. We are also reminding the legislators that Florida could save more than $51 million annually by abolishing the death penalty and depending exclusively on life without the possibility of parole."" FADP is urging Floridians to contact key legislative leaders in the House to urge adoption of the Senate budget. Legislators receiving calls include Representatives Byrd and Negron. LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: FADP held a press conference in January at which this matter was discussed extensively. Read the transcript (and see photos) at http://www.fadp.org/pressconfjan2003.html An extensive background piece has been developed by the Florida Death Row Advocacy Group, which is available at http://www.fadp.org/Fdrag/SpecialEd.html ******************************** SENT BY:
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
 supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and
individuals educating and energizing the general public and state legislators supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and
punishment advocating specific legislative improvements
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