From http://lifenews.com/state3995.html
Abortion Advocates Pressure Virginia Gov. Kaine to Veto Choose Life Plates
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 26, 2009
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Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- Abortion advocates claim they are pro-choice, but they are undertaking a concerted effort to pressure Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to veto a bill that promotes the kind of choice they don't like -- life. Kaine is considering signing a bill giving state residents the choice of purchasing a Choose Life license plate.
The plate features a cartoon drawing of a child and the words Choose Life.
But the problem for abortion advocates is that motorists who decide to have the plate on their cars agree to have the proceeds from the sales of the plates go to crisis pregnancy centers.
And the problem with pregnancy centers is that they cut into the profit Planned Parenthood and abortion centers make because they offer women alternatives to abortion and support in a difficult pregnancy situation.
But Nancy Keenan, the head of NARAL claims that offer of help to pregnant women is "propaganda."
"During this time of economic crisis, when more and more of Virginia's women are losing health-care coverage, the Commonwealth should focus its efforts on supporting legitimate, comprehensive health-care options instead of CPCs whose missions have nothing to do with health care and everything to do with propaganda," she says.
NARAL has organized an effort to get its members in Virginia to ask Kaine to veto the Choose Life plate bill and it claims 14,000 people have done so.
However, many of those messages may have come from out of state as the pro-abortion group sent a national text message asking for calls and emails.
The effort has sparked several groups that support abortion to join in the campaign, and pro-abortion blogs are joining NARAL's effort.
Senator Ken Cuccinelli was the sponsor of the Choose Life plate bill that a Senate committee defeated earlier in the legislative session.
Cuccinelli, however, didn't give up and amended another license plate bill on the floor of the Senate several days later with the Choose Life plate on a 20-19 vote.
Kaine, whom President Barack Obama named as the head of the Democratic party, claims he wants to reduce abortions but he won't pledge to sign the license plate bill.
"When it comes to the governor's desk, he'll take a look at it and act accordingly," spokesman Gordon Hickey told the Washington Post in February.
Victoria Cobb, the head of the Family Foundation, tells LifeNews.com she wants Kaine to sign the bill so state residents can purchase the plates.
"The hard work and determination of Senator Cuccinelli and those legislators who voted for this legislation could all be void if Governor Tim Kaine chooses to listen to Planned Parenthood and amend the bill to remove the Choose Life plate or veto the entire bill outright," she says.
"The Governor is now in the process of deciding what his action will be concerning the bills recently placed on his desk," Cobb added. "Hearing from [pro-life advocates] and other concerned citizens has a profound impact on this process."
As in other states, the Choose Life plates would allow some of the purchase price to go to groups that help women avoid abortions by providing them with adoption and pregnancy help. Of every $40 spent on the plates, $15 will go to pregnancy centers.
The governor is expected to make a decision soon on the license plate bill, SB 817. Should he veto the measure, the General Assembly reconvenes for its Veto Session on April 8 and could attempt a veto override.
Should a veto occur, Cobb tells LifeNews.com her group will rely on a strong grassroots effort to override the veto.
"While is it our hope that Governor Kaine does sign this Choose Life plate into law, The Family Foundation is prepared to mount an overwhelming grassroots advocacy campaign to put pressure on swing legislators and gather enough votes to override a gubernatorial veto," Cobb promised.
ACTION: Urge Governor Kaine to sign SB 817 with no amendments, including the Choose Life License Plate. Contact him at
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
Related web sites:
Virginia Governor - http://www.governor.virginia.gov
Family Foundation - http://www.familyfoundation.org
Virginia Legislature - http://legis.state.va.us
Virginia Society for Human Life - http://www.vshl.org
Buzz up!
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