By Rob Moritz interests of our constituents Arkansas News Bureau and not force their dollar to LITTLE ROCK — The Senate be utilized for something passed a bill today to they don’t agree with.” prohibit federal funding for Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, abortions offered through an said the bill is designed to insurance exchange in protect the unborn who have Arkansas except where the no say in the matter. life of the mother is in Bledsoe later told reporters danger. she decided to exclude In a 27-8 vote, Senate Bill exceptions for rape and 113 by Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R- incest from the bill because Rogers, passed after Bledsoe they were not included in ignored calls by opponents to Amendment 68, approved by amend the measure to include votes in 1989 to ban public exceptions to the ban in funding for abortions in cases of rape and incest. Arkansas. A federal judge Also today, a House committee later struck down the advanced legislation that amendment’s limited exemption would prohibit drivers from after Congress extended using a hand-held cell phone abortion funding to poor in a school zone. women who were victims of The Senate-approved abortion rape or incest. bill would ban health plans Matt DeCample, spokesman for offered through Arkansas’ Gov. Mike Beebe, said the insurance exchange, which is governor would prefer to to to begin operating as part of see women who are victims of the federal health insurance rape and incest included in law in 2014, from providing the bill, but added he would abortion coverage except as support whatever the optional supplemental Legislature approves. coverage offered outside the The Senate also approved SB exchange. 31, which would appropriate Women could get abortion $500,000 to replenish the coverage not covered by the governor’s emergency fund. bill, but they would have to The House Transportation buy a supplemental policy on Committee on today endorsed their own, Bledsoe told HB 1049 by Rep. Fred Allen, D- senators. Little Rock, which would “They just can’t get taxpayer prohibit the use of a hand- funds,” she said. held cell phone by a driver The federal health care law passing through a school zone allows states to opt out of during hours when children abortion coverage by the are present outside the state exchanges. Bledsoe said school building, except in an her bill is identical to emergency. legislation approved in five Under the bill, a driver other states in recent months. could not be stopped solely The measure now goes to the for failing to comply. A House Public Health, Welfare first offense would result in and Labor Committee. a warning and a second Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little offense would result in a $50 Rock, said the bill would fine. impose an unnecessary Talking to reporters after regulation. the hearing, Allen said “My focus today is on folks talking on a cell phone can who are paying their own be distracting to a driver money to be a part of the and can cause accidents. He exchange,” she said. “Why said he made the bill should you tell me what my specific to school zones policy is going to cover with because “we have to protect my own money?” our kids.” She said that under the Allen also acknowledged that proposal, a woman would have limited scope of the bill to know in advance that she likely helps its chances of was going to have an abortion passing. The bill goes to the to acquire the supplemental House. insurance. Today in the House, members “People just don’t plan on approved House Bill 1060 by having abortions,” she said. Rep. Uvalde Lindsey, D- Elliott said the bill needed Fayetteville, which would amendments to add fairness. allow solid waste disposal “Rape is nothing more than an districts to charge haulers a assault,” Elliott said. fee of up to $2 per ton. It “Suppose you are a man and would replace a fee that was you are in the (insurance) earlier ruled exchange, you get mugged and unconstitutional. beaten, bloodied, that is an The House also approved HB assault on you. You are going 1157 by Rep. Bruce Westerman, to be covered. But (an R-Hot Springs, which would abortion is not covered) if increase the probationary it’s an assault on a woman period for newly recruited who is part of the exchange, state police officers from a and she’s raped and she gets year to 18 months. The pregnant.” Arkansas State Police Among the bill’s supporters, requested the change, Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, Westerman said. said most Arkansans oppose The bills go to Senate the use of public funds for committees. abortions. The House also approved non- “I do not think that my binding resolutions urging taxpayer dollars, my President Obama and Congress constituents’ taxpayer to end travel and trade dollars or your constituents’ restrictions between the U.S. taxpayer dollars should be and Cuba and discouraging utilized in a forced manner legislators from creating for something that we don’t task forces to study specific agree with in this state,” problems when existing Rapert said. “We talk about, legislative committees are think about the lives of able to do the work. those we are here to protect ——- and serve … I think we’re Reporter John Lyon here to protect and serve the contributed to this report.
Tags: abortion, Federal, funding, passes, Senate
