PRO-LIFE PROVISION REMOVED FROM BUDGET

February 13, 2019 – Yesterday, the Appropriations Committee voted 5-4 to strip the pro-life Title X provision out of the Governor’s budget. The Title X provision, which was passed by the legislature last year, prohibits Title X funds from being distributed to an organization that “performs, assists with the performance of, provides directive counseling in favor of, or refers for abortion.”

Title X funds have always been intended to be kept separate and distinct from abortion-related activities. For the past year, this provision has provided accountability and ensured that your taxpayer dollars did not subsidize the abortion industry.

THIS VIDEO explains exactly what Title X does: https://nebraskafamilyalliance.org/policy/title-x/

We are extremely disappointed that the Appropriations Committee voted to remove this important pro-life language. Nebraska is a pro-life state, and our budget should reflect that reality.

Voting to take the provision out of the budget were Senators Tony Vargas (LD 7), Kate Bolz (LD 29) and Anna Wishart (LD 27). Senators John Stinner (LD 48) and Bob Hilkemann (LD 4), who voted in favor of the provision last year, voted to remove the pro-life provision yesterday.

Senators Robert Clements (LD 2), Mike McDonnell (LD 5), Myron Dorn (LD 30), and Steve Erdman (LD 47) remained steadfast in their pro-life values and voted to include the Title X language in the budget. Please take time to thank these senators for their vote!

We will be urging the Appropriations Committee to reconsider this vote, which was taken very suddenly, and re-insert the pro-life Title X language before the budget is presented to the full Legislature for debate.

***  We need YOUR HELP!  ***
Please write *these senators* who took Title X funding out of the budget.
Tony Vargas – District 7 – Email: tvargas@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509       Phone: (402) 471-2721
Kate Bolz – District 29 – Email: kbolz@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509       Phone: (402) 471-2734
Anna Wishart – District 27 – Email: awishart@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509        Phone: (402) 471-2632
John Stinner – District 48 – Email: jstinner@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509       Phone: (402) 471-2802
Robert Hilkemann – District 4 – Email: rhilkemann@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509       Phone: (402) 471-2621

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7 TIPS ON CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

  1. Always be respectful and considerate. A rude or accusing tone won’t accomplish anything.  
  2. Shorter is better, so keep your message clear and to the point. 
  3.  If you’re concerned about a specific bill then mention the bill number. 
  4.  Always identify yourself and give your address and contact information. As a voter in your district, your voice matters! 
  5.  Be specific! Precise facts or personal stories are much stronger than general, vague statements. 
  6.  Request a course of action, such as proposing a bill or voting for or against a piece of legislation. 
  7.  Thank them for taking the time to listen to your concerns.

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SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Senator ____________,

I am writing to voice my opinion about Title X funds going to organizations that perform abortion services. I do not support Title X funds going to organizations who perform abortions. Even if you try to prevent an organization from using funds for abortions while allowing them to use funds for other services they provide, you are still subsidizing abortions indirectly.

Furthermore, I strongly oppose abortion, as do the majority of Nebraskans. The government has shown they can provide incentives for people and organizations to do and to not do things, for example, additional taxes on tobacco and alcohol.  Following this precedence, we should withhold funds from organizations that perform a service that a majority of Nebraska residents oppose. Proven by science, all life begins at conception.  Abortion is the deliberate termination of an innocent human life.  As governing officials, effort should be made to incentivize individuals and organizations to help people live, and disincentive ending someone’s life.  

Please support the Title X provision proposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Respectfully,
Your Name
Your Address, City, State, Zip
Your Phone and/or Email

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Please call, email or write to THANK these senators who voted Pro-Life to KEEP the Title X language in the budget.
Robert Clements – District 2 – Email: rclements@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509        Phone: (402) 471-2613
Mike McDonnell – District 5 – Email: mmcdonnell@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509        Phone: (402) 471-2710
Myron Dorn – District 30 – Email: mdorn@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509        Phone: (402) 471-2620
Steve Erdman – District 47 – Email: serdman@leg.ne.gov
P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509        Phone: (402) 471-2616

Source:  http://necatholic.org/be-an-advocate/capitol-updates.html?fbclid=IwAR0yT2wC9BLWv6HQXFQbi985S5kTVE6_8Re6gxoKGz5j_fgnonKF0_-CK_4