JEFFERSON CITY — Tomorrow (1-23), SB 61, sponsored by Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis, is scheduled for consideration by the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee at 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol. The measure would require the auditor to make a one-time report on the costs of administering the death penalty in Missouri. The measure would implement the first comprehensive attempt in the state to determine the cost of applying the death penalty, compared to sentencing individuals to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Senator Keaveny has fought for this issue in prior legislative sessions, and adds that, considering Missouri’s limited budgetary resources, taxpayers need to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent.

“The death penalty is the most serious sentence one can enforce, and we should understand all the aspects of this punishment, from its effectiveness in our criminal justice system, to how it affects Missourians’ pocketbooks,” Sen. Keaveny said. “No formal studies regarding the cost of the death penalty have been conducted in Missouri, and it’s time we educate ourselves on this significant matter.”

According to the organization Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, studies in 12 states have concluded that the death penalty costs an additional 30 percent, to up to 10 times more, than seeking life without parole. In addition, Kansas state auditors found that death penalty cases cost taxpayers more than $500,000 more per case than other murder cases.

“I look forward to my bill’s approaching committee hearing, and I hope panel members consider the knowledge our state would gain if we study the expenses regarding capital punishment in our state,” Sen. Keaveny said.

To follow the progress of SB 61, please visit Sen. Keaveny’s Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/keaveny.