Illinois Lawmaker Wants to De-Fund Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz in Budget
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
May 19, 2009
Springfield, IL (LifeNews.com) — An Illinois state legislator is leading a move during the final weeks of the legislative session to cut funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business out of the state budget. Rep. David Reis says that, with the economy in bad shape, now is not the time to spend tax dollars funding the pro-abortion group.
As Illinois general revenue fund revenues continue to deteriorate and the state budget outlook for the next fiscal year for the state shows substantial red ink, Reis says cutting Planned Parenthood funds makes sense.
"Here in Illinois, taxpayers have provided over $25 million in funding to Planned Parenthood over the past five years for an average of $5 million per year," he told LifeNews.com on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to his colleagues, Reis writes that cutting Planned Parenthood funding allows the state to divert the needed money to providing health care for Illinois residents.
"Whatever your views on abortion, the fact remains that the government, while trying to regain a steady financial foothold, should focus on providing financial assistance for basic, vital healthcare needs to those who need it most and that will affect the most citizens, not subsidize a controversial operation that has no problem raising money under its own accord," Reis writes.
"During these times of financial uncertainly and governmental belt-tightening, I hope you would agree that a more prudent way in which to spend our precious tax dollars would be pay our current healthcare obligations that provide healthcare for all Illinoisans," he continues.
Reis points out that Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion business, which does more than 300,000 abortions annually, already receives significant government funding.
In a recent national annual report, Planned Parenthood indicated that it brought in over a billion dollars in gross revenue.
Of that nearly $1.02 billion, $336.7 million came from government grants and contracts at both the state and federal levels.
Reis plans an amendment to the state budget that would shift Planned Parenthood funds to legitimate health care efforts.
ACTION: Contact your Illinois legislators and urge them to support the Reis measure to shift funding away from Planned Parenthood. Find contact info at the Illinois legislature web site at https://www.ilga.gov.
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