Arizona Right to Know Abortion Bill Heads to Governor Napolitano

Arizona Right to Know Abortion Bill Heads to Governor Napolitano

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 27, 2004

Phoenix, AZ (LifeNews.com) -- Legislation that would ensure women are fully informed about the risks, dangers, and alternatives associated with abortion has received final approval from the state legislature and now heads to Governor Janet Napolitano. She supports abortion, but has not indicated whether she will sign or veto the legislation.

The state House voted 32-27-1 to approve the bill, which also provides women with information about the development of their unborn child. The state Senate previously approved the legislation by a 18-11 vote margin.

The lack of two-thirds majorities in both chambers indicates that if Napolitano doesn't sign the bill, a veto will be very difficult to override. That's why pro-life groups are planning to flood her office will calls, letters and faxes.

“We call upon Gov. Napolitano to do the right thing to protect the women of Arizona and sign the informed consent bill into law," Len Munsil, President of The Center for Arizona Policy, said.

But the chances of Napolitano signing the bill don't look good. She said during her gubernatorial bid that she would veto any legislative proposal that made women wait for abortions. The legislation requires abortion facilities to give women the information 24 hours ahead of performing the abortion.

"The governor's position has not changed," Napolitano press aide Paul Allvin told the Daily Star on Thursday night. Allvin didn't indicate if that meant the governor would veto the bill.

A potential veto doesn't dissuade Shane Wikfors, Executive Director and lobbyist for Arizona Right to Life. "If the Governor is truly for consumer protection, as she was during the time she was Attorney General, she will sign this bill."

"This law will help prevent some of the outrageous crimes against women we have witnessed the last few years by abortion doctors like Biskind and Finkel," Wikfors commented.

Thirty states have already passed some form of the legislation which the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled as constitutional and it has been responsible for reducing the number of abortions by as much as one-third in some states.

The House passed the bill after defeating an amendment that would indicate the legislature supports the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision making abortion legal.

The Arizona Catholic Conference also supports the legislation.

ACTION: Contact Governor Napolitano about the Right to Know bill by calling her office at 1-800-253-0883.

Related web sites:
Governor Napolitano - http://www.governor.state.az.us
Center for Arizona Policy - http://www.azpolicy.org
Arizona Right to Life - http://www.azrtl.org


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	Arizona Right to Know Abortion Bill Heads to Governor Napolitano by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor February 27, 2004 Phoenix, AZ (LifeNews.com) -- Legislation that would ensure women are fully informed about the risks, dangers, and alternatives associated with abortion has received final approval from the state legislature and now heads to Governor Janet Napolitano. She supports abortion, but has not indicated whether she will sign or veto the legislation. The state House voted 32-27-1 to approve the bill, which also provides women with information about the development of their unborn child. The state Senate previously approved the legislation by a 18-11 vote margin. The lack of two-thirds majorities in both chambers indicates that if Napolitano doesn't sign the bill, a veto will be very difficult to override. That's why pro-life groups are planning to flood her office will calls, letters and faxes. “We call upon Gov. Napolitano to do the right thing to protect the women of Arizona and sign the informed consent bill into law," Len Munsil, President of The Center for Arizona Policy, said. But the chances of Napolitano signing the bill don't look good. She said during her gubernatorial bid that she would veto any legislative proposal that made women wait for abortions. The legislation requires abortion facilities to give women the information 24 hours ahead of performing the abortion. "The governor's position has not changed," Napolitano press aide Paul Allvin told the Daily Star on Thursday night. Allvin didn't indicate if that meant the governor would veto the bill. A potential veto doesn't dissuade Shane Wikfors, Executive Director and lobbyist for Arizona Right to Life. "If the Governor is truly for consumer protection, as she was during the time she was Attorney General, she will sign this bill." "This law will help prevent some of the outrageous crimes against women we have witnessed the last few years by abortion doctors like Biskind and Finkel," Wikfors commented. Thirty states have already passed some form of the legislation which the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled as constitutional and it has been responsible for reducing the number of abortions by as much as one-third in some states. The House passed the bill after defeating an amendment that would indicate the legislature supports the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision making abortion legal. The Arizona Catholic Conference also supports the legislation. ACTION: Contact Governor Napolitano about the Right to Know bill by calling her office at 1-800-253-0883. Related web sites: Governor Napolitano - http://www.governor.state.az.us Center for Arizona Policy - http://www.azpolicy.org Arizona Right to Life - http://www.azrtl.org