Virginia becomes first state to end taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood

Good news from back in February, written by Michael Baggot at LifeSiteNews.com

Now, if we can just get Republicans in other states-- and the federal government-- to do the same!

The Virginia Senate decided to end taxpayer funding to abortion provider Planned Parenthood on Wednesday. Lt. Governor Bill Bolling cast the tie-breaking vote and approved the amendment to the state budget following the 20-20 tie vote among senators.

Attorney general hopeful Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II introduced the amendment. He explicitly attacked Planned Parenthood's abortion programs. "What we are doing is financing an abortion-mill operator," Cuccinelli said. "This will deny them that money."

The decision was a surprise, given the Senate's Democratic majority. Democrat Sen. Charles J. Colgan's vote in favor of the amendment led to the tie vote, which was decided by the Lt. Governor's vote. Despite pressure from fellow Democrats, Colgan sided with 19 Republicans, stating, "I ran on a pro-life platform, and most of my constituents are pro-life." Colgan cited fidelity to his conscience as a major reason for opposing funding to Planned Parenthood.

Democratic opponents of the amendment claimed that Planned Parenthood's programs actually decrease abortion, and that cutting funding to PP would hurt PP's HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention programs.

Sen. Janet D. Howell, argued that Planned Parenthood's contraceptive programs lead to a decreased number of abortions. "The irony is, Planned Parenthood probably prevents more abortions than any other organization in the country," said Howell.

Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw expressed fears that the Wednesday decision will lead to further funding cuts to groups that supply abortion. "Once we start down this road, there will be no stopping," said Saslaw.

Last summer, Planned Parenthood revealed that it had received $305.3 million in tax-payer funding in 2006, 12 percent more than in the previous year. Planned Parenthood admitted that 34 percent of its 2006 income came from taxpayer funding. The organization also reported a ][record] $55.8 million profit for the year....

Lifesitenews.com also recently reported an undercover investigations that showed Planned Parenthood's racist tendencies. An actor playing a white racist was able to give money to the group for the specific purpose of eliminating a black baby who might someday rob the apparent donor's son of a spot in college because of "affirmative action".