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Published: May 5, 2009
“Not required to provide bailout money to the abortion industry”
Orange County supervisors restore Planned Parenthood funding, but adopt new policy barring future use of county monies for services provided at any location where abortions are performed
Orange County supervisors have reluctantly agreed to reinstate a county contract with Planned Parenthood they had rescinded in March, but then unanimously adopted a new policy that prohibits the use of county money in future contracts for organizations that provide abortions.
 On April 28, the supervisors voted 3-2 to reinstate a current contract with Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties after county counsel Nicholas Chrisos told them they could be violating the termination provisions of the contract and abusing their legislative discretion. The vote means Planned Parenthood will continue to receive county funding for the remaining two months of the contract.
In a separate action, the supervisors voted 5-0 to put in place a new policy for future contracts that bars the use of county funds for “health education programs” or at any location where abortions are performed.
On March 10, the supervisors had originally directed county staff to end funding to Planned Parenthood within 30 days under a $7.5 million contract with the Orange County Coalition of Community Clinics. Planned Parenthood had been awarded a $291,788 contract to provide teens and pre-teens with sex education, including information on birth control and sexually transmitted diseases.
The matter of the Planned Parenthood contracts was first brought to the attention of the board in February by Supervisor John Moorlach, who expressed surprise after an Orange County resident told him Planned Parenthood was getting county funding. Moorlach and fellow Supervisor Bill Campbell voted against reinstating the canceled contract on April 28.
Even though Planned Parenthood’s funds have now been temporarily restored, the organization immediately announced it would consider suing the county if it is denied funding in the future under the new policy. Jon Dunn, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, said Planned Parenthood still plans to seek funding next year for providing mammograms and breast tissue biopsies for the uninsured, the Orange County Register reported.
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund told the supervisors the pro-family legal group would defend the board for free if Planned Parenthood or other pro-abortion groups move forward with their threats of legal action based on the new policy.
“Local governments are not required to provide bailout money to the abortion industry,” said ADF senior legal counsel Steven H. Aden in a statement released by ADF. “Taxpayers should not be required to foot the bill for the activities of groups which perform or promote abortions. The Orange County policy is perfectly consistent with similar federal restrictions and does not violate any state or federal laws.”
In a letter to the board of supervisors, ADF noted, “case law provides the Board with a clearly constitutional path to restrict the use of… funds to preclude any connection to the provision or promotion of abortion.”
Posted Tuesday, May 05, 2009 7:14 AM By kathy
Bravo supervisors. Stunning that PP thinks they can sue for funding... next it will be Acorn suing.
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Posted Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:01 AM By OneoftheSheep
Since when did our founding fathers ever envision that hard working tax paying citizens would be forced to have their money confiscated and given to godless folk who would seek to destroy our posterity without the consent of the governed?
If we have money to provide Planned Parenthood with cash to kill our unborn, we have money for every purpose under heaven. Not!
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Posted Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:04 AM By OneoftheSheep
Okay, so the folks at Orange County have made a good start at defunding this evil organization.
When is Sacramento going to adopt a similar measure. Seems like the CA Catholic Conference could speak out on the need to increase the food stamp eligibility period but only gave lip service to the need to cut the budget for abortion services.
There did not appear to be any talking points on budgetary restraint for the abortion industry at the Lobby Day. Oh, well, who ever heard of striking while the iron was hot? Certainly not the CA Catholic Conference. Folks holding prolife literature at the Cathedral were told to "get that crap out of here" by 'well meaning ushers.'
Is it not time for our Bishop to act? I think so.
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Posted Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:24 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Oneofthe Sheep, the "CA Catholic Conference" is not really Catholic,or at least it has not been for a long time!.
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founder & Chairman
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
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Posted Thursday, May 07, 2009 4:14 PM By OneoftheSheep
CA Catholic Conference is probably more a place where Democrats can feel good about themselves. You are right about that.
Anyone read Archbishop Chaput's book? Just read it and returned it to the library. It was an excellent analysis of Catholics in the public square. So much I could say about it. Very good reading. Now, if CCC would have it as required reading, we might get somewhere with them!
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