Minnesota Independent

Has Pawlenty wavered in his opposition to abortion?

By Andy Birkey | 07.08.11 | 8:38 am

Tim Pawlenty has been touting his record of opposition to abortion and funding for Planned Parenthood, but this hard-line on abortion is somewhat new. One acquaintance of Pawlenty’s says that his “pro-life” stance is faked, and a report by Mother Jones on Thursday demonstrates that Pawlenty approved a “dizzying increase” in funds for Planned Parenthood and other family planning agencies — according to a local paper at the time — during his two terms as governor, as well as cutting abstinence-only programs.

Minnesota GOP moves to ban funding for Planned Parenthood

By Andy Birkey | 04.18.11 | 3:42 pm

Minnesota legislators introduced a bill on Monday that would ban state family planning money from going to any organization that offers abortion services, advocates for the right to choose an abortion, counsels pregnant women that abortion is an option or is affiliated with any organization that engages in those activities. In fact, under the bill, family planning dollars cannot be used to refer women to abortion services even if they are explicitly seeking those services. The bill introduced on Monday is the twelfth anti-abortion rights bill introduced so far this session.

T-Paw backs defunding of Planned Parenthood; Klobuchar, Franken opposed

By Andy Birkey | 04.04.11 | 1:57 pm

Again stirring controversy on Capitol Hill is a measure in the U.S. House budget bill that would prevent federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood and cut Title X family planning funds. Potential presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty told anti-abortion rights group the Susan B. Anthony List that he supports defunding Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken signed a letter opposing the provision.

Minnesota GOP seeks to defund family planning programs

By Andy Birkey | 03.29.11 | 8:45 am

Senate Republicans are working to defund family planning programs in Minnesota and prevent the state from accepting federal family planning dollars. The health and human services budget bill slashes money for programs that provide services to families either seeking to become pregnant or to prevent becoming pregnant. Those funds cannot be used to perform abortions or provide referrals to abortion services. The move mirrors a push by Republicans at the federal level to defund Planned Parenthood. Along with county public health departments, Planned Parenthood clinics in Minnesota are a major beneficiary of family planning funds.

Anti-abortion group credits state program with 0.6 percent drop in abortions

By Andy Birkey | 04.15.09 | 10:28 am

Minnesota’s largest anti-abortion group says state-funded anti-abortion programs are responsible for a drop in the number of abortions among low-income women. If the group’s assertion is correct, the programs cost taxpayers more than $200,000 per woman successfully treated.

Pawlenty budget slashes family planning programs

By Andy Birkey | 01.27.09 | 4:59 pm

The budget proposed Tuesday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty would cut $2 million from the Family Planning Special Projects, a grant program that funds health departments, nonprofits and tribal governments that provide family planning services to low-income Minnesotans. The cut amounts to a 20-percent reduction.