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| Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen |
In the context of a massive budgetary shortfall, the governor and his party push several huge tax breaks for upper-income folks and corporations. But $7.45 million in family planning — no dice, the GOP says.
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| Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-Middlesex/Mercer |
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| Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex |
A Senate vote today on S2899 — sponsored by Democrats Loretta Weinberg, Linda Greenstein and Joe Vitale — elicited some interesting responses from Republicans, who accused Democrats of by-passing process (will they make the same argument if the governor defies the state Supreme Court?) and supporting a group (Planned Parenthood) that, in Sen. Gerald Cardinale’s words, “supports abortion at every turn.”
“This bill is not about women’s health, it’s about partisan politics,” he said.
He is right, of course. The bill was as much about drawing clearer lines between the parties on two key issues: abortion and the budget. The GOP — or at least the governor and a majority of GOP senators — is willing to toss out funding for poor women’s health to limit abortion services for poor women, even as they hand over cash to those who need it least.
Sen. Greenstein offered this statement:
“The simple fact of the matter is that the Governor’s cuts to family planning and women’s health services have left women at a disadvantage in receiving basic health care,” said Senator Greenstein, who serves as a member of the Senate Budget Committee. “With unexpected revenues coming into the State, I think it’s fiscally wise and socially conscientious to reverse cuts to women’s health care. When you consider the total savings to the State from federal matching funds, there’s simply no fiscal argument you can make against investing this money in programs that make a difference in people’s lives.”
The Democrats know that Gov. Chris Christie is going to veto the bill. They have 26 “yes” votes, one short of overriding a veto — but either way, they will have made their point. Will it matter at the polls? Probably not for the governor. But the entire Legislature is up and I suspect it will help a handful of Democrats in an election that likely was going to favor the party anyway.
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Hank Kalet 