Nebraska’s official state executioner does not know if he will have a job tomorrow. After the Nebraska State Legislature overrode Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill ending capital punishment within the state, the executioner doesn’t know if he will have a job or be applying for unemployment benefits.
The situation got complicated when Gov. Ricketts said the lawmakers’ repeal of the death penalty wouldn’t stop his administration from proceeding with the executions of 10 people currently on death row.
“The state just paid over $50,000 dollars for lethal drugs from India and we intend to use them, “ said Ricketts. “As a fiscally conservative Republican, it is my duty to see to it that the taxpayers’ money isn’t wasted. And the contact reads no refunds!” the governor went on to say.
But the Omaha World Herald newspaper cited FDA spokesman Jeff Ventura as saying it was illegal to import the lethal drugs from India. “The FDA will refuse their admission into the United States,” he was quoted as saying.
When questioned about the FDA’s position, Gov. Ricketts said, “The shipment may not be able to be imported through any U.S. port, but we have arranged for drone delivery. Of course this added to the cost.”
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