Missouri Governor Matt Blunt Touts Pro-Life Values During State Speech 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 16, 2008
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt touted pro-life values during his State of the State speech yesterday. Though the governor has come under fire from pro-life groups for supporting embryonic stem cell research and taxpayer funding, he has a strong record when it comes to abortion issues.
He said that, during his tenure as the state’s political leader, he has "championed the values that define who we are as a people."
"Since January of 2005, we have enacted new laws to reflect our profound respect for the inherent dignity of each and every life," he said.
"This year, we must take further steps," Blunt explained.
"I believe the vast majority of Missourians agree that we should do all we can to encourage young parents to choose life. That is why my budget again includes increased funding for the Alternatives to Abortion program," he said.
The state of Missouri has battled for years to shift public funding in its family planning programs from Planned Parenthood and divert the money to pregnancy centers that help women with unplanned pregnancies.
Blunt furthered that goal last March when he pulled state taxpayer funding of a Planned Parenthood program that provides breast cancer screenings. Instead of funding Planned Parenthood, the money was given to another health initiative that didn’t involve abortion.
During his address, Blunt said he also supports "legislation to strengthen Missouri’s informed consent laws."
"We have a moral obligation to protect Missouri women and defend the dignity of human life," he said. "We must ensure that expectant mothers have all the information they need to make fully-informed decisions, including the right to view an ultrasound of their child."
"As any parent can tell you, there is nothing so powerful as that first glimpse of your child. It enhances early bonding and it will encourage expectant parents to choose life," he concluded.
