In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court radically changed our state constitution, making it impossible to regulate the abortion industry in even the simplest of ways. As a result of this decision, over twenty life-saving laws on abortion are now presumed unconstitutional and are in danger of being struck down by abortion industry lawsuits.
By Jeanne Gawdun | Kansans for Life.
Over a 20-year period, these reasonable regulations had helped to lower the number of abortions in Kansas by 44%.
Passing the Value Them Both amendment on August 2 will reverse the 2019 state court ruling and restore our constitution to the way it was. It will protect the bi-partisan supported limits on abortion and ensure that Kansas does not become a permanent destination for unlimited, unregulated, taxpayer-funded abortion.
Voting “yes” on Value Them Both will protect laws that enable parents to counsel their minor daughters through an abortion decision; ensure that there are abortion clinic-specific inspection and health and safety standards in place; provide pregnant women with easy access to information on fetal development, the risks of abortion, alternatives and a statewide list of organizations offering assistance with their needs; and prevent our taxpayer dollars from being used to subsidize the abortion industry.
The effects of the 2019 state court ruling have been devasting. In 2020, Kansas saw the largest increase in the number of abortions in 25 years. In the last two years, the number of women coming from out of state to have abortions in Kansas has increased 16%, and the number of painful, live dismemberment abortions has increased 17%.
While states around us are able to place limits on the abortion industry, Kansas is poised to be the destination state for extreme abortion in the Midwest. The abortion industry is predicting a 1,362 % increase in the number of women who come to Kansas for abortions if Value Them Both does not pass. Using the most recent Kansas abortion statistics, we could see anywhere from 50,000-100,00 abortions a year.
There is a lot at stake and now is the time for everyone to get involved! Join us in the most historic grassroots effort in the history of Kansas. It is not a question of whether you should help, but how.
First of all, pray for the successful passage of Value Them Both. Speak to your pastor about scheduling a presentation for your church to help spread the truth about the amendment. July 12 is the deadline to register to vote, so help others do so easily by hosting a voter registration drive at your church. Volunteer to make phone calls and go door to door sharing information and asking people to commit to voting “yes” on August 2. Put a bumper sticker on your car and a yard sign at your home or business.
Visit ValueThemBoth.com for more information and to volunteer.
– By Jeanne Gawdun | Director of Government Relations , Kansans for Life.
KFL is a National Right to Life Affiliate