As a staunch defender of constitutional rights and American ideals, the ACLU of Pennsylvania believes strongly in transparent and accountable government. With this in mind, legislation that creates a study commission on the death penalty with a two-year suspension of executions provides the Commonwealth with an opportunity to learn more about how capital punishment functions and malfunctions. The ACLU of PA believes there is great benefit to learning more about this government program. We are deeply concerned about the impact of class and race on death sentencing and the possibility that these factors lead to the conviction of innocent people in capital cases. Our democracy is strongest when government operates in the light, not in the dark.