One bill to outlaw partial birth-abortion, another to repeal state law against abortion
Wheeler News Service ¦ Pierce County Herald ¦ 21 December 2007 Three Wisconsin legislators want to pass a new law banning partial-birth abortions. The federal government already bans the practice. Senate GOP Minority Leader Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, says the state needs its own law so local prosecutors can go after violators. Fitzgerald, and Reps. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, and Tony Staskunas, D-West Allis, are trying to get colleagues to co-sign a bill similar to the federal ban upheld this year by the U.S. Supreme Court Wisconsin had its own law against partial-birth abortions but it was ruled unconstitutional in 2000. State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said the Supreme Court ruling did nothing to change that. Planned Parenthood says the new bill is a political game aimed at rallying pro-life voters while accomplishing nothing. Fitzgerald admits the new bill won’t go anywhere unless pro-life Democrats get behind it. Also Thursday, Madison area Democrats Sen. Mark Miller and Rep. Terese Berceau proposed a bill to repeal the state’s criminal ban on abortion. It was in place since 1849 until the Roe v. Wade decision made it unconstitutional in 1973. |
