West Virginia Pro-Lifers Push for Special Session.(Brief Article)

Energized by the unfairness of Gov. Robert Wise's last-minute veto and popular support for its position, West Virginians for Life is gathering signatures from legislators to petition the governor to call a special session in order to reintroduce the "Women's Right to Know" bill.

On March 22, with the legislative session about to end, Wise vetoed SB 283, the "Women's Right to Know" bill, a very popular, mainstream piece of legislation. Wise complained that the bill's requirements were too "onerous" and too expensive. But critics argue that the real issue is, why doesn't Wise want women and girls to know the simple truth about abortion?

As part of their efforts to publicize the governor's action, pro-lifers held a prayer vigil at the Capitol March 29 to pray for the women and girls who will not receive essential information prior to their abortions.

The measure had overwhelming support in both houses. SB 283 breezed through the Senate on a vote of 28-6 and by a 3-1 margin (75-25) in the House. The very large and bipartisan support for the measure probably explains why the governor vetoed the bill at the 11th hour, leaving no time for a veto override.

What would SB 283 do? According to Melissa Adkins, West Virginians for Life legislative coordinator, the proposal would provide essential information to women considering an abortion that objectively explains the medical risks of abortion and childbirth, enumerates the alternatives to abortion that are available, and provides scientifically accurate information about her developing unborn child.

"We're shocked that Gov. Wise vetoed the Women's Right to Know bill, because in recent meetings with him we addressed the very concerns he voiced ...