April 01, 2006

Politicians Whose Defeat I Will Celebrate

Armand has blogged about West Virginia politics recently (here and here most recently). Curious about why the Red Burqua campaign listed West Virginia on its list of the most reactionary (my word) states, I did a little searching.

As I've blogged before, I know lawmakers in West Virginia have proposed some terribly stupid legislation. And I know that out of state extremists have targeted West Virginia's most vulnerable as playthings in their battle to take us back to a barefoot and pregnant dystopia. I've even written letters to my representatives in the state legislature about it.

And, I might add for the record, Representatives/Senators Marshall, Fritch, Houston, Beach, Prezioso and Oliverio apparently could care less about my vote - which I might also add for the record, they won't be getting ever again. I hear back from Byrd's office and Rockefeller's office. Rockefeller has some good staffers, it seems. They write decent letters, and do explain his reasoning (or some semblance of it). The state people? Zilch.

Anyway, I did a little check to see what kind of anti-reproductive freedom activity our state legislators have been up to, and suprise surprise surprise, it's worse than I thought. Much worse.

Below the fold is a list of the legislation, for which I will hold my representatives (hah! I think the only one who ever represented me was Barbara Evans Fleischauer) accountable. And the list of politicians whose defeat I will celebrate? Well, all of them on that list. The ones I will actively work against and whose opponents I will likely support (provided they aren't worse) are:

Prezioso, who introduced legislation equating contraception with abortion, and to expand parental notification to parental consent while eliminating waivers.

Houston, who introduced bills that would deny health care to women by placing a higher value on a woman's provider's values than the woman's own, and for introducing TRAP legislation creating burdensome restrictions targeted at abortion providers.

Frich, who introduced TRAP legislation, which restricts women's access to reproductive health care, and who co-sponsored the parental consent bill.

Oliverio, who co-sponsored the parental consent bill.

Anti-Choice Legislation

Abortion Ban

Bill Number: WV  H  4376
Summary: Bans safe, medically appropriate abortion procedure without exception to protect women's health.
Sponsor: Border (R)
Introduced: 02/03/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Abortion Bans After 12 Weeks

Bill Number: WV  H  2923
Summary: Bans safe, medically appropriate abortions, without exception. Provides no clear definition of what stage in pregnancy the ban applies.
Sponsor: Lane (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Affiliation Ban

Bill Number: WV  S  677
Summary: Prohibits public funding of any entity associated with another entity that provides, counsels, or refers for abortion.
Sponsor: Guills (R)
Introduced: 02/20/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Anti-Choice Clinics

Bill Number: WV  H  4507
Summary: Relates to establishing "Choose Life" license plates; allocates funding for anti-choice clinics barred from discussing reproductive options.
Sponsor: Stephens (D)
Introduced: 02/13/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Anti-Choice License Plates

Bill Number: WV  H  4507
Summary: Relates to establishing "Choose Life" license plates; allocates funding for anti-choice clinics barred from discussing reproductive options.
Sponsor: Stephens (D)
Introduced: 02/13/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Attacks on Contraception

Bill Number: WV  H  4411
Summary: Broadens definition of abortion so that it also includes contraception.
Sponsor: Pino (D)
Introduced: 02/06/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  519
Summary: Introduced version of bill broadens definition of abortion so that it includes contraception. Subsequent substitutes of bill removed the language that would broaden the definition of abortion to include contraception and added provisions that amend existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion.
Sponsor: Prezioso (D)
Introduced: 02/07/2006
Last Action: Amended
Last Action Date: 03/01/2006

Biased Counseling

Bill Number: WV  H  4476
Summary: Requires women receive state-mandated lecture which may include medically inaccurate information prior to obtaining abortion services.
Sponsor: Ellem (R)
Introduced: 02/09/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Biased Counseling and Mandatory Delay

Bill Number: WV  H  4117
Summary: Modifies existing biased counseling and mandatory delay laws by increasing the penalty for non-compliance.
Sponsor: Wakim (R)
Introduced: 01/25/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4671
Summary: Modifies existing biased counseling and mandatory delay law by requiring that women receive state-mandated lecture that life begins at conception; prohibits abortion unless women wait an additional 24 hours after receiving lecture.
Sponsor: Miley (D)
Introduced: 02/20/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Counseling Ban/Gag Rule

Bill Number: WV  H  2143
Summary: Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services. Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Sobonya (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2199
Summary: Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Walters (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2200
Summary: Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Walters (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2922
Summary: Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Lane (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3123
Summary: Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services. Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services.
Sponsor: Porter (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  595
Summary: Prohibits employees or representatives of family planning centers receiving state funding from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Harrison (R)
Introduced: 02/16/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  68
Summary: Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services. Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Dempsey (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Insurance Prohibition for Abortion

Bill Number: WV  H  4346
Summary: Prohibits insurance coverage of RU-486 for government employees.
Sponsor: Louisos (D)
Introduced: 02/01/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4561
Summary: Prohibits insurance coverage of abortion for government employees.
Sponsor: Perry (D)
Introduced: 02/14/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Public Facilities and Employees Restriction

Bill Number: WV  H  2052
Summary: Prohibits use of public facilities for abortion services.
Sponsor: Blair (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2143
Summary: Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services. Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Sobonya (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2553
Summary: Prohibits public employees from instructing students on how to perform abortion procedures. Mandates exclusion of instruction on abortion care for students at public institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Walters (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2767
Summary: Prohibits use of some public facilities for abortion services.
Sponsor: Schoen (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3123
Summary: Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services. Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services.
Sponsor: Porter (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  678
Summary: Prohibits use of public facilities for abortion services.
Sponsor: Guills (R)
Introduced: 02/20/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  68
Summary: Prohibits use of public funds, employees, or facilities for abortion services. Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services.
Sponsor: Dempsey (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Refusal to Provide Medical Services

Bill Number: WV  H  2042
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide or dispense abortion-related medication in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Schoen (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3030
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform any medical services in all or most circumstances. Also allows insurance companies to refuse to provide coverage of any service that conflicts with its conscience.
Sponsor: Houston (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3200
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform abortion services in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Boggs (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4315
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform abortion services in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Trump (R)
Introduced: 02/01/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4449
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform abortion services in all or most circumstances. Also allows insurance companies to refuse to provide coverage of abortion services.
Sponsor: Houston (D)
Introduced: 02/07/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4644
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide or dispense contraceptives in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Kiss (D)
Introduced: 02/20/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  29
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide or dispense abortion-related medications in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Weeks (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  41
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform any medical services in all or most circumstances. Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide or dispense contraceptives in all or most circumstances. Allows insurance companies to refuse to provide coverage of any service that conflicts with its conscience.
Sponsor: Barnes (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  447
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform abortion services in all or most circumstances. Also allows insurance companies to refuse to provide coverage of abortion services.
Sponsor: Sprouse (R)
Introduced: 02/01/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  599
Summary: Allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to perform abortion services in all or most circumstances.
Sponsor: Harrison (R)
Introduced: 02/16/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Restrictions on Low-Income Women's Access to Abortion

Bill Number: WV  HJR  112
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment to restrict low-income women's access to abortion.
Sponsor: Sumner (R)
Introduced: 02/07/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  SJR  3
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment to restrict low-income women's access to abortion.
Sponsor: Caruth (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Restrictions on Young Women's Access to Abortion

Bill Number: WV  H  2112
Summary: Modifies existing law by mandating parental consent prior to a young woman obtaining an abortion.
Sponsor: Blair (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3006
Summary: Amends existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion. The bill also removes a section from the existing law that states that the law does not apply to contraception.
Sponsor: Pino (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4367
Summary: Modifies a law that mandates parental notice prior to a young woman obtaining an abortion.
Sponsor: Border (R)
Introduced: 02/02/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4411
Summary: Broadens definition of abortion so that it also includes contraception.
Sponsor: Pino (D)
Introduced: 02/06/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4575
Summary: Modifies existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion.
Sponsor: Susman (D)
Introduced: 02/15/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  120
Summary: Amends existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion. The bill also removes a section from the existing law that states that the law does not apply to contraception.
Sponsor: Prezioso (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  189
Summary: Amends existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion.
Sponsor: Love (D)
Introduced: 01/17/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  28
Summary: Modifies existing law by mandating parental consent prior to a young woman obtaining an abortion.
Sponsor: Weeks (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  519
Summary: Introduced version of bill broadens definition of abortion so that it includes contraception. Subsequent substitutes of bill removed the language that would broaden the definition of abortion to include contraception and added provisions that amend existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion.
Sponsor: Prezioso (D)
Introduced: 02/07/2006
Last Action: Amended
Last Action Date: 03/01/2006

Restrictions on Young Women's Access to Family Planning

Bill Number: WV  H  3006
Summary: Amends existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion. The bill also removes a section from the existing law that states that the law does not apply to contraception.
Sponsor: Pino (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  120
Summary: Amends existing parental notice law to place additional restrictions on young women seeking abortion. The bill also removes a section from the existing law that states that the law does not apply to contraception.
Sponsor: Prezioso (D)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Separate Legal Status for Embryos and Fetuses

Bill Number: WV  H  2422
Summary: Amends portion of criminal code to allow an "unborn child" to be a victim of crime separate and apart from the pregnant woman.
Sponsor: Sumner (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  3011
Summary: Amends definition of "human being" in homicide law to include an "unborn child."
Sponsor: Rowan (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) - Anti-Choice

Bill Number: WV  H  2559
Summary: Provides insurance coverage for embryos and fetuses, rather than pregnant women, in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Sponsor: Ashley (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  S  440
Summary: Provides insurance coverage for embryos and fetuses, rather than pregnant women, in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Sponsor: McKenzie (R)
Introduced: 01/31/2006
Last Action: Introduced

State Constitutional Protection - Elimination or Reduction

Bill Number: WV  HJR  13
Summary: Attempts to reduce or eliminate state constitutional protection for a woman's right to choose.
Sponsor: Armstead (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP)-Anti-Choice

Bill Number: WV  H  2125
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Azinger (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2152
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Hamilton (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2532
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Carmichael (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2896
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Tansill (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2913
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Stevens (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2915
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Roberts (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2921
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Tansill (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2927
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Roberts (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2952
Summary: Restricts the performance of some abortions to hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers, imposing costly, burdensome, and medically unnecessary requirements on abortion providers.
Sponsor: Frich (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  2953
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Azinger (R)
Introduced: 01/11/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4335
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Evans (R)
Introduced: 02/01/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4365
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Evans (R)
Introduced: 02/02/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4375
Summary: Restricts the performance of some abortions to hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers, imposing costly, burdensome, and medically unnecessary requirements on abortion providers. Additionally, subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Eldridge (D)
Introduced: 02/03/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4450
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Houston (D)
Introduced: 02/07/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4495
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Hamilton (R)
Introduced: 02/10/2006
Last Action: Introduced
Bill Number: WV  H  4523
Summary: Restricts the performance of all abortions to hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers, imposing costly, burdensome, and medically unnecessary requirements on abortion providers. Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: White L (R)
Introduced: 02/13/2006
Last Action: Introduced

Posted by binky at April 1, 2006 06:56 PM | TrackBack | Posted to West Virginia


Comments

An omission: Bonnie Brown and Barbara Hatfield are trying to hold the line against these incursions. If I could vote for them, I would.

Posted by: binky at April 1, 2006 10:38 PM | PERMALINK

Well, then might I suggest the following:

Use your connections to find someone, ANYONE, to run against Oliverio on the Mountain People's Party line. He doesn't have single opponent and though technically a D most D's have no idea why. It's appalling that he's likely to get reelected without opposition and there are plenty of liberals and Ken Hechler fans who absolutely loathe him.

Only vote for Barbara in the primary election on May 9th. [And maybe go door to door for her!]

Look into Alex Shook's stands/record - he's the only new face who seems to be doing much advertising prior to May 9th. If he's ok, maybe vote for both him and Barbara (that way, maybe you could help knock out Beach or Houston before the November ballot).

Posted by: Armand at April 2, 2006 11:01 AM | PERMALINK

Shook is on my list to check out. However, finding his campaign on the web is next to impossible. I know he has a web site, because I've seen it on the billboards. I'll be damned if I can remember it, or find it.

Posted by: binky at April 2, 2006 11:20 AM | PERMALINK

It seems that for Mr. Shook, contraception and abortion are not issues at all, whether at the county, state, or national level. So, either he's no advocate, or he's trying to weasel by not taking a stand.

No vote for you!

Plus, for the kiddies, he's for increased penalties for couch burning.

Posted by: binky at April 7, 2006 11:30 PM | PERMALINK

And he's pro-Longview! Between what's on there (in terms of his views), what's not, and the mindless pandering - no freakin' way am I voting for him.

Posted by: Armand at April 8, 2006 10:30 AM | PERMALINK

Fyi, looks like Charlene Marshall is one of the 5 House sponsors of 2975 that WOULD have required all state health plans to cover RU486.

Posted by: Armand at April 17, 2006 02:27 PM | PERMALINK

Indeed. I was peevy with her for not responding. I might have to change my mind.

Posted by: binky at April 17, 2006 02:51 PM | PERMALINK
Post a comment









Remember personal info?






Bill Number: WV  H  4579
Summary: Subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions.
Sponsor: Susman (D)
Introduced: 02/15/2006
Last Action: Introduced