A bill that would do away with the death penalty in Louisiana goes before a Senate Committee today.

Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says this would end the death penalty for first degree murder and rape offenses committed after July 31st. He says given the state’s massive budget problems, this punishment makes no fiscal sense.

The former prosecutor says he used to be in support of the death penalty, but his views have shifted because of moral and religious beliefs. Claitor, who is Catholic, says we should promote life, not snuff it out.

If approved, the bill would not impact people currently on death row.

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