In the Times today: "New York Assembly Democrats Close Off Death Penalty for 2005." A good friend of mine was instrumental to this effort, and she is quoted in the article:

"There is going to be a ripple effect coming out of Albany against capital punishment, no question," said Shari Silberstein, who attended the hearings and is co-director of the Quixote Center, a group that describes itself as faith-based and is pressing for moratoriums on executions. "When a major state like New York moves away from the death penalty, other states take notice and ask questions of their own."

I have to tip my hat to Shari and the many others devoting themselves to non-profits. These are the people making things happen.