Wisconsin Pro-Life Group: Recall Elections Could Affect Abortion

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 29, 2011   |   4:27PM   |   Madison, WI

A Wisconsin pro-life group is urging pro-life voters in the state to pay attention to the recall elections and to support pro-life lawmakers because the results of the elections could affect abortion legislation.

Wisconsin Right to Life informed its members today that it is looking for volunteers to help the candidates subjected to recall elections by liberal activists and it says the recall elections “are really about the rights of the unborn.” The organization is concerned that the elections could result in handing pro-abortion Democrats control of the state Senate.

“No matter what you hear about the nine State Senate recall elections that will take place on August 9 and August 16, it’s really about the rights of the unborn,” WRTL says. “The votes and support of right-to-life people have never been more important.  If we lose our State Senate majority, our life-saving legislative agenda will be stopped dead in its tracks.”

“Your help is greatly needed,” Wisconsin Right to Life continues, “even if you don’t live in one of the nine State Senate districts. You can volunteer to help recruit individuals to fill out absentee ballot applications for the August recall elections. Any amount of time you can give to this project will be greatly appreciated. Don’t let our State Senate fall back into the hands of pro-abortion leadership.”

The recall elections involve six Republicans and three Democrats. The state Government Accountability Board set elections for six Republicans and three Democrats, with different election days for the two groups.

Republicans Robert Cowles, Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen, Randy Hopper and Dan Kapanke face elections along with Democrats Jim Holperin, Robert Wirch, and Dave Hansen.

The recall elections follow the successful cutting of funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business. With pro-life Gov. Scott Walker signing the state budget into law in Wisconsin, the Badger State became the fourth to cut funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business — following decisions by Indiana, North Carolina and Kansas to revoked funding entirely.

The legislation redirects $1 million in state and federal family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. In 2010 Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin received more than $18 million in federal and state family planning funds that it claims has reduced abortions. However, the abortion business did 5,439 abortions in 2009, a 56% increase from 2008.

Wisconsin Right to Life praised Walker, with legislative director Susan Armacost saying, “Governor Walker and the state legislature acted courageously to protect Wisconsin taxpayers from having their tax dollars used to destroy human life. While there is more work to be done to protect taxpayers from paying for abortions, this state budget has greatly improved the situation.  On behalf of Wisconsin Right to Life members and supporters throughout the state, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Governor Walker and the legislature.”

Meanwhile, the state budget contains a provision which puts the University of Wisconsin Health Care Authority (UWHCA) under the provisions of state law, which prohibits the use of state tax dollars for the performance of abortions.   UWHCA tried to persuade legislators that it would lose accreditation if the provision was enacted, but officials with Wisconsin Right to Life say that’s not so.