Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (D) Vetoes Anti-Abortion Bill

[Nicole]

Governor Vetoes Anti-Abortion Bill
AP - 4/18/2007 1:59 PM - Updated 4/18/2007 9:20 PM

Governor Brad Henry has tabled an Oklahoma anti-abortion bill. While some are happy about it, the senator from Tulsa who wrote the bill is outraged. The state House and Senate approved Senate Bill 714, but Henry didn't agree with them. So the anti-abortion legislation won't become law, but the News On 6’s Latoya Silmon reports Senator James Williamson of Tulsa says the fight isn't over yet.

It's a bill that had some doctor's divided, but the state government overwhelming approved Senate Bill 714. It prohibits any state employees and facilities from using state funds for an abortion. They also can't encourage the procedure unless the mother's life is in danger.

"This is another instance where the legislature is getting into the doctor patient relationship and preventing the physician from meeting the patient's needs and instead, presenting a narrow political view to patients and that's not what physician do," said Dr. Scott Spear.

Spear says there's a misconception about the type of people who seek abortions. “We see women from all walks of life and all kinds of economic spectra,” he said. “An unplanned pregnancy can happen to anybody.”

And he says all of them should have a choice. For now, they will. Henry vetoed the bill.

"It finally shows the governor's pro-abortion bent," said Williamson.

http://www.kotv.com/news/topstory/?id=125402

[blonndee]

1. I was surprised he stood up to the RW freaks in the state

legislature (and the chickenshit "Dems" too many of them are), at least on this issue. I called his office to thank him for this, even though he's not as pro-choice as I would like. He's not bad at all for Oklahoma. He recently vetoed a budget put together by the Rs without what the Dems (and Henry) thought was proper consultation and bipartisanship.

[KatyaR]

3. For a mild-mannered type of guy, he's gotten pretty good at standing up to them.

I'm proud to see him do this. I was afraid his Southern Baptist roots would win out.

[blonndee]

4. Yeah, he's been good lately!

He's so popular--I wonder how this will affect his approval ratings? Hey, I guess it doesn't matter--he did get a mandate after all! LOL

[Nicole]

6. He did get a mandate.

I wish he would take Inhofe's place in the senate after his term is over. Or Coburn's. :thumbsup:

[Nicole]

5. I was too.

Williamson (R) said he would push for a veto override vote in the state legislature.

Now's the time to contact the Dems about this & encourage them to stand strong with Henry.

[Ninja Jordan]

2. self-delete

I misread it

[rockymountaindem]

7. Goes to show how important it is to vote Democratic

as well as how important it is to compete in every state, at every level (Thanks, Dr. Dean!).