Governor Sam Brownback made his way to Washington DC this Friday to receive an award on behalf of the National Pro-Life Council. Problem: while he was receiving the award, Kansas courts upheld an earlier ruling, vacating the law.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-kansas-ban-abortion-method-remains-hold-36447838
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has received an award from a national anti-abortion group as a court in his state blocked enforcement of the law that prompted the honor.
Brownback's office confirmed that he was in Washington on Friday to receive the award from the New York-based National Pro-Life Religious Council.
The law, which called for an end to almost all second trimester abortions by eliminating D&E abortions and miscarriage service was seen as a blow by Kansas groups who had been applauding this as a restriction they strongly favored.
The Kansas court split evenly, in a 7-7 vote, effectively upholding the prior ruling that found a right in the Kansas constitution for control of one’s own body. Now, the Brownback administration and allies within the state are moving aggressively to institute changes that they hope will pack the courts in their favor.
Changes to the Kansas court system would require a constitutional amendment, something Governor Brownback began pushing for in his state of the state speech, mostly in regards to Kansas Supreme Court rulings that impacted school funding, state spending, and funding of Kansas courts — which have been adverse to the Brownback administration plans on those issues.
The set back for conservative attempts to limit women’s access to services follows a state capital gaffe on women’s issues, as Senator Mitch Holmes, SD-33, St. Johns, KS, issued out the new rules for ethics committee in the state house — which included a dress code for women.
The dress code was seen by advocates as another attack on women in the state house, as Planned Parenthood argued immediately upon release.
Today, in both the state court and court of public opinion, Planned Parenthood of Kansas can feel as though they had a good day. One good day, however, doesn’t change the battle, and like many, Planned Parenthood within Kansas and many other states will need continual funding as well as activist efforts to help them keep up with the continuous conservative attacks.
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