Is the death penalty really the “greatest moral challenge facing lawmakers today”?

Though I am never inclined to downplay the significance of sentencing issues, I am inclined to questions the Dallas Morning News‘ assertion in this editorial that “Texas’ relentless pace of state-sponsored killing is the greatest moral challenge facing lawmakers today.”  I tend to think that providing poverty relief and even some other criminal justice issues (e.g., reducing wrongful convictions) might be a greater moral challenge.  But I would guess that some readers might agree with the Dallas Morning News‘ moral compass.

That said, I do support the editorial’s suggestion that Texas’ legislative leaders “should start the process [of examining the state’s death penalty] by ordering Senate and House committees to study capital justice in Texas and doubts about its fairness.”