LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says his administration is still pursuing lethal injection drugs for executions but will not decide how to proceed until state officials verify the signatures on a petition to keep capital punishment legal.
Ricketts said Tuesday that he first wants to ensure that Nebraskans for the Death Penalty has collected enough valid voter signatures to prevent the law from being repealed.
Nebraska lawmakers voted in May to abolish the death penalty, overriding the governor's veto. Death penalty supporters responded with the petition drive that sought to halt the repeal before it went into effect and place the issue before voters in 2016.
The group announced last week that it had collected nearly 167,000 signatures. At least 113,883 valid signatures are needed to suspend the repeal.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Walnut Township Treasurer removed; votes unofficial until canvass
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
TX man to stand trial on charges in fatal Jackson Co crash
Local judge files for re-election
Atchison in running for national fireworks honors
Bridge work begins Wed in Doniphan Co
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings
Planned outage for Brown-Atchison Electric Tuesday
Motorcyclist injured in Holt Co MO crash
Commission takes action related to bridge project
LATEST STORIES
Chiefs' Butker named Keynote Speaker for BC Commencement
Two stop legislative coffee talks set for Saturday
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
Falls City Council approves permit for goats in city limits
Grant awarded to Falls City Library and Arts Center
Nebraska City man to serve on Peru State College Foundation Board
Fairfax man injured in tractor accident in Atchison County MO
Doniphan Co Commission approves zoning change
RELATED STORIES
Death Penalty Debate Continues
Neb Death Penalty Measure Foes Change Name
Neb Looking to Recoup Money From Death Penalty Drug Purchase
Appeal of Neb Death Penalty Repeal Being Considered
Nebraska Looking at Death Penalty Protocol
State Seeking Death Penalty In Tecumseh Prison Death
Nebraska Gov. Keeps Promise to Veto Death Penalty Repeal
Supporters of Nebraska Death Penalty Announce Referendum Campaign
Nebraska Governor Defends Donation To Death Penalty Initiative