State News
Oklahoma: Attorney: Don’t force ultrasound before abortion
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma law that requires women receive an ultrasound before an abortion and listen to their doctor describe the fetus is unconstitutionally vague and should be struck down, an advocacy group’s attorney told a judge Tuesday.
Stephanie Toti, an attorney for the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, said after the hearing that the anti-abortion law was “the most extreme law in the country.”
During oral arguments, she told District Judge Vicki Robertson that the law does not describe in sufficient detail what a physician or other medical professional is supposed to say to a woman about the ultrasound image.
“There are a million different things that a doctor could tell a patient about an ultrasound,” Toti said. “It is not clear what a physician must say.”
Special Assistant Attorney General Teresa Collett urged the judge to uphold the statute, saying it clearly states what a doctor should tell a woman about the ultrasound image. They include the dimensions of the fetus as well as the presence of cardiac activity and arms, legs and internal organs, according to the statute’s text.
“There is no lack of clarity in this,” Collett said.
She said the law requires the ultrasound at least one hour before an abortion is scheduled and helps provide a woman with the information she needs to make an informed decision about having one.
Robertson took the arguments under advisement and said she would hand down a ruling on Aug. 18. The judge said she needs additional time to read through volumes of legal documents submitted by attorneys for both sides.
“This is a lot to digest,” the judge said.
The anti-abortion bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of state lawmakers last year. It was vetoed by Gov. Brad Henry, who said it was “unconscionable” to require victims of rape and incest to undergo the ultrasound procedure.
But the Legislature overrode Henry’s veto so the bill could go into effect without his signature. It was the first time the two-term governor had one of his vetoes overridden.
It was set to go into effect Nov. 1, but Robertson granted a temporary injunction barring enforcement after Nova Health Systems, the parent group of Reproductive Services in Tulsa, filed a lawsuit in October challenging the law’s constitutionality.
Toti said the Tulsa clinic provides abortion services to about 200 women a month. It also does pregnancy testing and counseling and makes referrals to adoption agencies.
Opponents of the statute believe it intrudes upon a patient’s privacy, endangers her health and assaults her dignity.
“We feel very strongly that the statute is unconstitutional. We hope the judge agrees with us,” Toti told reporters after the hearing.
Collett and the measure’s supporters said they are optimistic that the law will be upheld.
“We believe that the law is constitutional,” said Tony Lauinger, state chairman of Oklahomans for Life. Lauinger, who helped lawmakers write the measure, objected to Toti’s characterization of it as extreme.
“We think it’s the most beneficial ultrasound law,” Lauinger said, adding that he thinks a woman should have as much information as possible before she makes a decision that she may regret later in life.
“She should have time to think about what she saw,” he said. “She has time to contemplate what she has seen and heard.”
- State News
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.
But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card. -
Race in Kansas’ 2nd District could heat up for GOP incumbent
TOPEKA, Kan. — A conservative Kansas legislator said Monday he will announce in a few weeks whether he will challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Republican primary.
State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support. -
Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia
OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.
Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force - Missouri: Senate panel cuts $500 million from proposed budget JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Senate committee declared Thursday that it has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri’s proposed budget for next year — meeting a target set by Gov. Jay Nixon to bring it in balance.
- Kansas: Wichita-area casino in doubt after governor’s decision TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed casino south of Wichita was in doubt Thursday after Gov. Mark Parkinson refused to grant its developers a regulatory reprieve. Partners in the $225 million Chisholm Creek project wanted to delay a state board’s decision on their plans.
- Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.
- Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.
- Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
- Oklahoma: Pathologist says girl’s throat might have been cut OKLAHOMA CITY — A 7-year-old girl who was found dead in Oklahoma near the body of her suspected kidnapper likely died after her throat was cut, an independent pathologist said Wednesday, the same day the child’s funeral attracted hundreds of mourners.
- Missouri: Court overturns Arrow Rock hog ruling JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday overturned a ruling that blocked a proposed hog farm from expanding near Arrow Rock.
- More State News Headlines
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
