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Kansas Liberty: 28 May 2009
Governor's claim that Planned Parenthood must be funded by taxpayers isn't in the law.
KDHE refuses to back Parkinson claim on Planned Parenthood
Gov. Mark Parkinson line-item vetoed a provision of the budget bill last week that would have reprioritized federal funds earmarked for comprehensive family planning, sending money to community health facilities rather than to Planned Parenthood, which operates four clinics in Kansas, including one clinic that performs abortions and is under investigation.
Parkinson claimed allowing the provision to stand would violate Title X of the Public Service Act.
However, the state Department of Health and Environment refused Thursday to agree.
“The governor's message makes reference to the Public Service Act, and Gov. Parkinson made a comment about how that act prohibits a state from refusing Title X funding to an entity that meets the statutory requirements for a grant. This language is not specifically found in the act," said the department in response to a query from the state legislative research department.
The amendment’s sponsor, Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, had asked the research department for clarification on the issue.
Huelskamp noted that states have substantial latitude in deciding how the Title X funds are utilized and that Parkinson’s claim that the funds are “an entitlement” is not truthful.
“The KDHE agrees the 'Huelskamp amendment' is not a violation of Title X of the Public Service Act,” Huelskamp said.
In Parkinson’s veto message, he said that the Public Service Act “is clear that states are not permitted to refuse the award of Title X funding to entities that meet the statutory requirements for the grants.”
- Holly Smith
SRS gives $1.5 million taxpayer money to union