From Deseret News archives:
House rejects abortion measure
Cost of state-led legal battle over Roe cited
HB235, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, originally began as a "trigger bill" but was substituted in committee with an outright abortion ban, setting the stage for a costly state-led legal battle.
Representatives voted nearly two-to-one to return HB235 to the less-aggressive trigger, citing concerns about timing and the cost to fight what is believed to be an uphill battle.
"This isn't a decision about how we feel about abortion this is a decision about what is in the best interests of this state and what is likely to be successful," said Rep. Kay McIff, R-Richfield.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has indicated a desire for unanimity on the court, and any decision overturning Roe would be extremely divided, said McIff, a retired judge. "It's important for us not only to choose the fight but to choose the timing in the fight."
The Supreme Court's 1973 decision recognizing a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion has been challenged many times, including once by Utah in 1991. That case cost the state more than $1 million, money that many lawmakers said Monday should not be spent again.
The Utah Attorney General's Office estimates it would cost $1.3 million nearly $440,000 per year for three years to litigate an outright ban on abortion. The office also warned that a one-time payment of up to $2 million may be necessary for plaintiffs' attorney fees, depending on the outcome of the litigation.
In a recent Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll, a majority 52 percent opposed spending state money to defend a state ban on abortion.
At least four other states are considering legislation that would force a Roe v. Wade challenge. Urquhart said Utah should support, but not bankroll, those efforts.
"I think that it's their turn," he said. "They can fund that."
The over 30-minute debate centered more on the decision to spend money defending a lawsuit and not the issue of abortion itself.
Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, agreed that the Utah Legislature should wait until the time is right to fight Roe v. Wade.
Comments
- Witnesses: Mitchell smart, controlling 11:45 a.m.
- NBC sale to Comcast cleared 11:14 a.m.
- Palin book goes platinum 11:12 a.m.
- 2 arrested in Roy double slaying 11:09 a.m.
- Women's insurance to get first vote 10:52 a.m.
- Vandeweghe to coach Nets 10:51 a.m.
- Woods' wife asked neighbors to call 10:50 a.m.
- No fractures on Emery's foot 10:07 a.m.
- Reports: Modest but steady growth 10:02 a.m.
- Stocks hold gains after econ reports 9:59 a.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Y. student vanished in China
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
900 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
392 - Max Hall issues apology
385 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
327 - Utes won't respond to Hall
266 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
139 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
BYU won. Utah Lost....Eat it. HAHA
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean,but what comes out of...
What a beautiful article!
Congratulations on being in the black. Good news for our economy. I hope...
I think that there are "delusional" people that belong in mental hospitals...
I attended a Utah BYU game with my family several years ago. What yu are...
Afghanistan presents a problem for liberal Democrats like me. I opposed...
"Better to lose with grace than to win with disgrace" ~ LV I am a BYU grad...
Why was 20% of NBC owned by a French Conglomerate? No wonder it was so...
My parents had seven sons and seven eagles. It was normal around our house...




You can be the first to comment on this story.