Virginia Governor Seeks to Ban State Abortion Funding

An interesting story from http://www.lifesitenews.com/ about a state banning tax-payer abortion fundingThis follows this post about the Obama's Supreme Court nominees. For more interesting stories like this click here to follow this blog.

Virginia Governor Seeks to Ban State Abortion Funding

By John Jalsevac
April 15, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has put forward an amendment to the state budget that would ban abortion funding by the state, reportedly along the lines of the federal Hyde amendment.
The Hyde amendment bans federal funding of abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or risk to the life of the mother.
Olivia Gans, the President of the Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL), told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) that she was unable to comment specifically on the amendment, as she has not yet been able to read the actual language. She also expressed concerns that the governor would have significant difficulties moving any pro-life initiatives through the Virginia senate, which she said is predominantly pro-abortion.
Nevertheless, she said, “VSHL members are very aware that Gov. McDonnell hopes to be able to use this entire time as governor looking for opportunities to move forward with pro-life initiatives.”
It is unclear to what extent the amendment would affect current abortion funding practices in the state. The Associated Press reports that a spokesman for Planned Parenthood in Virginia says that it will not affect its operations.
Gov. McDonnell is Catholic, and widely regarded as being staunchly pro-life. Upon his election as governor in November of last year, VSHL lauded the new governor, saying that his election sends the message that “we are not a pro-abortion country, we are in fact a pro-life state and a pro-life America."
Multiple attempts to obtain comment from the governor’s office went unanswered by press time.