Friday, Apr. 25, 2008

Kinzer:Veto of abortion bill 'an absolute tragedy'

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto this week of a bill to strengthen Kansas’ late-term abortion laws angered some state legislators.

Rep. Lance Kinzer, an Olathe Republican who introduced the bill, called Sebelius’ rationale for vetoing it an “illegitimate, made-up excuse.”

“The governor’s decision to veto this particular piece of legislation is an absolute tragedy for women in the state of Kansas who will continue to be exploited by abortion providers who care more about profit than they do about the sanctity of life,” Kinzer said Thursday outside the Johnson County Courthouse in a statement on behalf of 15 other legislators.

The bill — the House substitute for Senate Bill 389, dubbed the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act — was created to reduced abuses within the late-term-abortion reporting system.

Specifically, the bill would have forced abortion providers to give specific reasons late-term abortions are necessary.

It would have allowed the attorney general and district attorneys to prosecute providers in their county or the home counties of women. It would have allowed women or family members to file lawsuits against providers. It also would have allowed women to see an ultrasound image before the abortion.

In her veto message, Sebelius wrote: “I am concerned that the bill is likely unconstitutional or even worse, endangers the lives of women.”

She added in her veto message that the bill would have resulted in “extensive litigation” and violates the privacy of women.

Olathe legislators Rep. Anthony Brown, Rep. Mike Kiegerl, Rep. Arlen Siegfreid, Sen. Karin Brownlee and Sen. Julia Lynn supported Kinzer’s statement.

“For the governor to veto this bill shows exactly how radical she is on the abortion issue and how out of step she is with the people of Kansas,” Kinzer said.

Kinzer said that an attempt to override the veto likely will take place when the Legislature reconvenes April 30. To override, there must be a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.

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