John, 

I am happy to share with you some good news coming from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!

On Tuesday, Oct 31st, the House Judiciary Committee passed HB 999, a bill fully repealing the death penalty, making it an historic first-step towards making capital punishment a thing of the past in Pennsylvania!

I want to specifically show gratitude to our state coalition partner, Pennsylvanians For Alternatives To The Death Penalty (PADP), for their tireless advocacy that allowed this moment to even occur. It was an honor to join them at the capitol, where we received special recognition from the Speaker of the House and I had the opportunity to deliver remarks at the press conference following the committee vote. 

There’s still work to do to end the death penalty for good in Pennsylvania. Would you forward this message to anyone you know in Pennsylvania and ask them to show their support for repeal?

Former Governor Tom Wolf instituted a moratorium on executions in 2015, and earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro announced he would continue the moratorium. He also called for the legislature to put an abolition bill on his desk. The state hasn’t executed anyone since 1999.

It should be no surprise that conservatives, including those in Pennsylvania, are rethinking the death penalty. It is an extreme use of state power, deeply at odds with our limited government beliefs. 

Conservatives in the Commonwealth are definitely needed for what lies ahead. The next step is to bring the bill to the House floor where the magic number is 102—the number of votes needed for full passage before it heads to the Senate. 

Please tell your conservatives family members, friends and colleagues in PA to get involved with our cause. Their voices will be imperative to ensuring that our bill crosses the finish line. 

We are so close to seeing capital punishment come to an end. Let’s fight harder than before!

Onward,

Demetrius Minor 
National Manager of CCATDP