Texas House votes to redirect (cut) all family planning funds

[cali]

THE 82ND LEGISLATURE
Rise in unwanted pregnancies feared
Senators look warily at cuts to family planning
By PATRICIA KILDAY HART
AUSTIN BUREAU
April 4, 2011, 8:13PM


State budget cuts taking aim at Planned Parenthood may limit the availability of family planning services for many poor Texans and have the unintended consequence of increasing unwanted pregnancies, two key lawmakers said Monday.

State Sens. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, and Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said they hope a conference committee will restore funding to the State Department of Health Services Family Planning program.

<snip>


Members were encouraged to make the cuts by Texas Right to Life, which distributed a flyer stating the "$61 million will be redirected away from the abortion industry. So-called Family Planning grants are revenue streams for the abortion industry."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7506672.html

Texas lawmakers send family planning money to pro-life centers

April 4, 2:20 PM

44texasTexas lawmakers passed a series of amendments to the biennial state budget that would move nearly $70 million in funding for family planning to organizations that provide alternatives to abortion and other health services.

The 2012-13 budget passed 98-49, largely along party lines, in the Texas House late Sunday night, and Democrats were seen voting “present” instead of rejecting amendments providing extra funding for mental health services for children, trauma care, and funding for the deaf and the blind, according to the Texas Tribune.

In a 100-44 vote Friday, the House passed an amendment by Republican Rep. Randy Weber that transfers almost $7.4 million from family planning funding to crisis pregnancy centers, which provide alternatives to abortions.

http://online.worldmag.com/2011/04/04/texas-lawmakers-send-family-planning-money-to-pro-life-centers/