While Governor Mark Parkinson is fully expected to sign into law the one-cent sales tax increase, there are provisions within the budget promoted by conservatives which Parkinson will likely consider vetoing.

One provision that has a good chance of being vetoed is an amendment that will funnel taxpayer dollars away from Planned Parenthood clinics in the state. The amendment was sponsored in the House by Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, and by Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, in the Senate.

The amendment would ensure that federal Title X funds allocated to the state for the purpose of promoting family planning and contraception would go to non-controversial health clinics such as safety net clinics and community hospitals first. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States. Supporters of this amendment argue that taxpayer dollars should not be allocated to an organization that provides abortions, and instead should go to clinics that legislators and residents do not find controversial.

Last year Parkinson line-item vetoed the same amendment claiming that he was concerned that the provision would have violated the federal act which stipulates which clinics are eligible for receiving the funds.

In his veto message Parkinson stated:

“The facilities ineligible for funding under this proviso are, by law, eligible under Title X to receive the grants. 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.”

Legislators requested the Kansas Department of Health and Environment review whether or not the amendment would in fact violate the Public Service Act in the manner Parkinson described, and the state agency found that it would not.

The KDHE stated:

“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.”

In its online blog, the state-wide organization, Kansans for Life, pointed out that last year Parkinson not only vetoed the Title X amendment but that he also completely eliminated a crisis pregnancy program.

“Tax money Planned Parenthood gets “for contraception” helps keep them in business as the nation’s largest abortion chain,” KFL said in its report.

KFL along with the pro-life organization, Operation Rescue, are urging Kansans to contact Parkinson and request that he allow the provision to become law.

“This year, Kansas is so cash-strapped that it is raising taxes to burdensome new levels — all so they can give abortionists at Planned Parenthood another raise,” an Operation Rescue press release said.

Another amendment that could be in danger of a veto is a provision which prohibits state agencies to spend tax dollars to enact the Environmental Protection Agency’s endangerment finding, which ruled that carbon dioxide is harmful to the public’s health. The amendment was successfully added to budget plan in the House by Rep. Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, and Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, sponsored the amendment on the Senate side.

Legislators argued that taxpayer money should not be used by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to promote a ruling that would substantially damage the state’s economy.

“Instead of supporting sound science and common sense, the EPA has chosen to take the radical path of attempting to regulate carbon dioxide and methane,” said Huelskamp. “I’m determined to do what is best for our Kansas economy, and that is to oppose the EPA implementation of their cap-and-trade regulatory scheme at every possible opportunity.”

Ed Cross, president of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, said the success of Huelskamp’s amendment was important for Kansas residents.

“Kansas relies heavily on oil and gas production, and our energy producers are extremely grateful for Senator Huelskamp’s efforts on behalf of the Kansas energy industry,” Cross said.

—Holly Smith

Resources:

Kansans for Life blog entry

Operation Rescue

Previously on Kansas Liberty:

KDHE refuses to back Parkinson claim on Planned Parenthood

Parkinson, Bremby quietly kill Kansas' crisis pregnancy program

Arrogant EPA denies ‘Climategate’- plans to push past Senate for ‘cap and trade’

Op-Ed “Setting levels for Greenhouse Gas Emissions is Congress’ Job, Not the EPA’s