LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is edging toward becoming the first conservative state in decades to repeal its death penalty.

Capital punishment opponents are optimistic following an initial vote in the Legislature to repeal the law but acknowledge they still face a challenge as opponents scramble to block the change.

A coalition of Democrats and Republicans has formed behind the repeal effort.

Democrats note racial disparities of who is sentenced to death and the possibility of executing an innocent person, while Republicans see the issue as a fiscal matter, noting no one has been executed I the state since 1997.

Republican Sen. Colby Coash said the death penalty wastes tax dollars and gives victims’ families the wrong impression that killers will be executed.

Another vote on the issue could come this week.