West Virginia Pro-Lifers Push for Special Session

By Dave Andrusko

Energized by the unfairness of Gov. Robert Wise's last-minute veto and popular support for its position, West Virginians for Life is gathering signatures from legislators to petition the governor to call a special session in order to reintroduce the "Women's Right to Know" bill.

On March 22, with the legislative session about to end, Wise vetoed SB 283, the "Women's Right to Know" bill, a very popular, mainstream piece of legislation. Wise complained that the bill's requirements were too "onerous" and too expensive. But critics argue that the real issue is, why doesn't Wise want women and girls to know the simple truth about abortion?

As part of their efforts to publicize the governor's action, pro-lifers held a prayer vigil at the Capitol March 29 to pray for the women and girls who will not receive essential information prior to their abortions.

The measure had overwhelming support in both houses. SB 283 breezed through the Senate on a vote of 28-6 and by a 3-1 margin (75-25) in the House. The very large and bipartisan support for the measure probably explains why the governor vetoed the bill at the 11th hour, leaving no time for a veto override.

What would SB 283 do? According to Melissa Adkins, West Virginians for Life legislative coordinator, the proposal would provide essential information to women considering an abortion that objectively explains the medical risks of abortion and childbirth, enumerates the alternatives to abortion that are available, and provides scientifically accurate information about her developing unborn child.

"We're shocked that Gov. Wise vetoed the Women's Right to Know bill, because in recent meetings with him we addressed the very concerns he voiced in vetoing the bill," Adkins said. "Instead of basing his decision on facts, he chose to spout unsubstantiated pro-abortion rhetoric."

For example, one of Wise's rationalizations was cost. Pro-abortionists offered a highly inflated figure, while pro-lifers estimate the amount at a much more modest $10,000 to produce fetal brochures and the like.

"The governor appears to be concerned about a minimal cost to the state, while women and girls face the incalculable cost of the loss of their baby and a lifetime of regret," said Karen Cross, West Virginia director of American Victims of Abortion.

SB 283 added only four additional reporting requirements to those established in 1984 in the state's Parental Involvement Act. The bill is hardly "onerous," supporters say.

Wise made it worse by vetoing the proposal at the last possible moment, making it impossible to put together an override campaign. It requires the signatures of three-fifths of the legislators to petition the governor to call a special session, which West Virginians for Life is working furiously to get.

There is good news--"Newspapers in West Virginia weren't buying Wise's excuses," said NRLC State Legislative Director Mary Spaulding Balch. "And when our representatives went on radio programs to complain about Wise's veto and his timing, listener response was overwhelmingly supportive."

Members of West Virginians for Life, while disappointed, have rolled up their sleeves and are working unceasingly to get a special session. "The bill passed both houses with solid majorities," Balch said. "We may yet see an unprecedented special session on abortion!"