PROP. 73: ABORTION MEASURE FINDING FAVOR WITH VOTERS.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Early returns Tuesday showed voters supporting Proposition 73, a measure which, if it passes, would make California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). the largest state in the nation to require parental notification when an underage girl seeks an abortion. California is seen as a battleground state on the abortion issue because of its size and history on the issue. In 1967, then-Gov. Ronald Reagan signed what was considered the most liberal abortion law Abortion law is legislation which pertains to the provision of abortion. Abortion has at times emerged as a controversial subject in various societies because of the moral and ethical issues that surround it, though other considerations, such as a state's pro- or antinatalist in the nation. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] had endorsed Proposition 73, hoping it would turn out more conservative voters who also would back his reform measures on the ballot. The measure - sponsored by a Sacramento-area couple and backed by the Catholic Church and other anti-abortion groups - is designed to bring to California a law in effect in 17 other states that requires parental notification before an abortion can be performed on girls under 18. ``We think it's wrong that a 13-year-old girl can go in and get an abortion on her own, but a school nurse needs her parents' permission to give her an aspirin aspirin, acetyl derivative of salicylic acid (see salicylate) that is used to lower fever, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and thin the blood. Common conditions treated with aspirin include headache, muscle and joint pain, and the inflammation caused by rheumatic ,'' said Maria Elena Kennedy of the Parents Right to Know Committee. ``It's a huge discrepancy DISCREPANCY. A difference between one thing and another, between one writing and another; a variance. (q.v.) 2. Discrepancies are material and immaterial. and one we think where parents should have a say.'' Kennedy said the measure contains provisions that allow for judicial oversight Judicial oversight describes an aspect of the separation of powers prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, specifically the process whereby independent courts may review and restrain actions of the administrative and legislative branches. to allow abortions for minors. ``We think there are safeguards, and we have been very careful to follow the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on this,'' Kennedy said. ``We think this can stand up to any legal challenge.'' Officials with Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood A service mark used for an organization that provides family planning services. , which has been campaigning against the measure - along with several other groups that favor abortion rights - said the agency is concerned that the proposition would result in more harm than benefit. Mary-Jane Wagle, president of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , said she understands the desire of parents to know what their children are doing, but that notification might not always be realistic. ``When you begin to think a little more about what happens in the real world, you realize that the parent-notification requirement doesn't work for every family and every situation and could cause very dangerous situations for teens who feel they cannot tell their parents.'' Opponents of the measure say they fear it could lead to illegal abortions or result in teens going out of state to end a pregnancy. They also point to a decline in teen pregnancies over the past three decades - from 70 in 1,000 in 1970 to 44 per 1,000 in 2001. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com |
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