JANET NAPOLITANO AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

Do you ever feel like all your hard work, at whatever job you do, is wasted? Like your best efforts to make a difference are constantly frustrated? Do you ever come to the end of your work day wondering why you even try?

A lot of Arizona Legislators are feeling the same way these days. Having worked hard to craft legislation that will benefit the people of Arizona, Legislators all too often see their efforts destroyed by the ruthless veto pen of Governor Janet Napolitano. Again and again, Napolitano has vetoed bills that clearly reflect the will of the citizens of Arizona, expressed by their election of a conservative Republican majority in both the House and the Senate. Apparently, our governor has decided that she knows what is best for Arizona, regardless of the wishes of the electorate.

A flurry of recent vetoes of bills regarding abortion illustrate the point. Despite the fact that reliable polls show that Arizonans and all Americans support some restrictions on abortion, the governor steadfastly refuses to sign any such bills into law:
HB 2254, which would have required doctors to advise women considering abortion of the research-proven fact that their unborn baby may feel pain during the “procedure.”

HB 2666, which would have required that written parental consent for minors to obtain abortions be notarized. The governor’s veto letter stated that requiring this would put an “undue burden” on the parents – as if obtaining a notary stamp is too high a price to pay for ensuring that a minor truly has her parents’ consent for such a serious operation!

HB 2776, which tightened up the requirements for court bypass of parental consent for abortion.

SB 1325, which would have restricted the use of taxpayer money (state employee health insurance plans) to fund abortions for government employees.

By vetoing each of these bills, Governor Napolitano has proven that she is far more concerned with the will of the abortion industry than with the will of the citizens who elected her.

It should be remembered at this point that Roe v. Wade did not expand civil rights in terms of abortion, it took away the right of the states to restrict or legalize abortion. Bills such as these are simply efforts by the representatives of the people of Arizona to exercise what rights we still have to regulate this onerous procedure. But Queen Janet will have none of it: She has repeatedly shown her disregard for the will of Arizonans and her unfailing commitment to unrestricted abortion on demand.

This November, Arizonans have a chance to express their will in a way Janet can’t ignore, or veto – by electing a Republican governor. I urge every voter who is tired of this governor’s indifference to the will of her constituents to help us replace her by working and voting for her Republican opponent.