Should Alaska use public funds to compensate abortionists for killing unborn babies? This is one key matter that a committee of six state legislators will hash out in the coming days.
At issue is whether a specific pro-life amendment should be included in the state’s operating budget. Originally offered by Rep. Christopher Kurka (R-Wasilla) it specifically removes $350,000 from the State Medicaid appropriation, which is roughly what Alaska spends on abortions each year. It also inserts a line in the budget called “Medicaid Services for or Relating to Abortion” and then provides zero funds for this budget item.
Kurka’s amendment passed in the House, but when the Senate took it up, it failed on a 10-10 vote. That means the House and Senate operating budgets are at odds on this point, and the two versions must be reconciled through a joint committee.
Judges do not have authority to allocate state funds for causes or programs they may personally favor.
The amendment does not ban abortions outright, but it does make clear to the governor and the judicial branch that the Legislature has not set aside any funds for the state Medicaid program which can be used to underwrite abortions.
The current budget, as in past years, already includes wording stating that “no money … may be expended for an abortion,” except as provided for by the Title XIX of the Social Security Act which allows federal abortion funding “if necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.”” This wording is included every year in Alaska’s operating budget. To date, however, it has not stopped any governor or their administrations from continuing to pay for abortions through the state Medicaid program. This is because the Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that the state must underwrite elective abortions with public funds.
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By specifically delineating that no public funds are set aside for abortion, Kurka’s amendment, if adopted, would give Gov. Mike Dunleavy greater support in ignoring the Alaska Supreme Court’s demand that the state fork over money for abortions.
In past years, Dunleavy has noted that the court is the only branch of government that wants state-funded abortions. The problem is that the court does not enjoy the authority to control or designate state expenditures. This responsibility is granted exclusively to the Legislature. Regardless of the court’s opinion, unelected judges simply do not have the constitutional authority to allocate state funds for causes or programs they may personally favor.
Whether Kurka’s amendment is included in the final budget will come down to the vote of six legislators who sit on the Conference Committee. This includes three members of the House and three from the Senate. They are: Rep. Neal Foster, Rep. Steve Thompson, Rep. Kelly Merrick, Sen. Donald Olson, Sen. Senator Bert Stedman and Sen. Click Bishop. It is their job to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the budget before it is approved and sent to Gov. Dunleavy’s desk.
TAKING ACTION
- Click here to view the contact information for each of the six legislators appointed to sit on the Conference Committee.
8 Comments
In my opinion be it right Orrington I feel that the state shouldn’t pay for MUDER and not budget for it! I do understand rape and incest but why is it the states responsible? It should never get that far. People need to start reporting what they know or hear to stop rape or incest. As for mothers life I still don’t believe but will say there was a man involved so he needs to step up and share the cost for the mothers life!
Yes this is a hard line and in against MURDERING babies because it’s convenient. How about restraint and not having sex. We’ve as a collective of people have gotten so far away from the teaching in the Bible.
What happened to teaching abstinence!?
Why are we not addressing the cause and just playing with symptoms!?
The Alaska supreme sourt’s demand that the state fork over money for abortions.. you have no right to “demand” that of the citizenry.
The fed or local government have no rule over citizens or our income… yet I am expected to pay for something I don’t support!?
-Hypocrites!
-What idiocy!
Only God can take a life. He’s the creator
Stop the Killings
WHEN YOU ELECT THE GODLESS YOU REAP MURDER.. Are we not sick and tired of hearing from those who are the infected by Juneau that because sausage making is messy thats what we get in politics? THIS IS ABOUT SAVAGE MURDER OF BABIES… That BS phrase is only an escape clause for the weak who bend to the strong. Sausage my foot!!!! IF YOU WERE ELECTED ON PROMISE YOU VOTE WHAT IS RIGHT AND YOU REJECT WRONG!!!!!! YOU FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU QUIT YOUR SNIVELING… WE ARE SO SICK OF YOU BENT OVER LIARS,,,, DO YOUR JOB YOU RAN ON AND QUIT BEING WORTHLESS COWARDS NOT FIT TO BE REPRESENTING OUR STATE AND REPUBLIC… YOU ARE WHITEWASHED TOMBS IN A GRAVEYARD OF LIARS…….DOMINION IS YOUR ALBATROSS…. YOUR CALL OF DUTY YOU ABANDONED WHEN YOU SAW THE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE AND WE KNOW YOU SAW IT…… YOU SILENT COWARDS ARE GUILTY OF TREASON,, EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU WORTHLESS TREASONOUS TRAITORS TO YOUR OATHS…
RESEARCH ETHYLENE OXIDE, THE NASAL SWAB IF YOU HAVE HAD IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY CAUSING CANCER IN YOUR BODY. WHERE IS OUR LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR ON THIS EVIL? DO NOT TAKE THIS VILE TEST.
I sincerely believe abortion is murder. At the point of conception I believe God places a soul. No other point in our lives is as significant. If abortion is legal then I should have the right to kill people I hate.
Wake up Alaska, Planned Parenthood is on your school board. Concerned Alaskans need to step up and attend or serve on the School Board. The Governor assigns the funds to the school board BUT we the people can state what we want done with it. Stand Up, Show Up, Speak Up. They show also offer Abstinence Program by Community Pregnancy Center. Let’s Talk Healthy Relationships. This would also help teens to be aware of unhealthy abusive relationships. Planned Parenthood should raise there own funds. Also in the best interest of any patient a doctor should tell truth about any procedure. At planned parenthood they use an ultrasound to determine size of baby and this determined type of procedure to terminate babies life. Why not show your patient the ultrasound and let the patient hear the heartbeat. Sent this info to Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Response was a right to choose. No care for life from her. Denali Kid Care??? Care should not be killing children because of convenience. Also teach trust about STD’s and STI’s. You have more of a chance catching that then getting pregnant. Spend the money on something of value.
I realize there might be a distasteful side to this process and it might be more distasteful if you have firm beliefs in a higher power however, for those of us that are unburdened by such thoughts it’s easy to be objective. The major user group associated with this service is highly unlikely to produce the next Jonas Salk. Spin that however you like but if you want a much thicker layer of societal detritus, end abortion because that one single step will provide you with more societal garbage in 15-20 years than you could imagine. Run the numbers… I’m right. Run the numbers for two or three generations and it’s quite bad.