As a member of the Michigan Legislature, Virg Bernero voted to uphold the most extreme elements of legal abortion and to keep taxpayer funds flowing to abortion-performing organizations. Bernero served one term in the Michigan House (2001-02) and a partial term in the Michigan Senate (2003-05).
On three different occasions Senator Bernero voted against a bill to ban partial birth abortion (1). The third vote was on an initiative petition submitted by over 460,000 Michigan voters asking the Legislature to again approve the ban Bernero had previously voted against and which had been vetoed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Senator Bernero voted against a bill to close a loophole in Michigan's abortion parental consent law that was allowing pregnant teens to “judge shop” for a favorable judge who would grant the minor a waiver from having to get a parent's consent before having an abortion (2). Gov. Granholm eventually vetoed this bill as well.
In the House, Rep. Bernero voted against a bill to protect women considering abortions from predatory financial practices by abortion clinics. The bill would prohibit abortion clinics from collecting “down payments” in order for women to make an appointment for an abortion (3). Women are given a 24-hour waiting period under Michigan law to consider whether to go through with the abortion. Clinics collecting down payments at the start of the 24-hour period were refusing to refund some or all of the money if the women changed their mind.
Rep. Bernero voted against a bill that would prioritize state funds for “family planning” programs to be given to organizations that do not perform or promote abortion (4). Bernero has been a stalwart supporter of America's #1 abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, which receives millions of taxpayer dollars in Michigan every year. Planned Parenthood has endorsed Bernero in his race for governor.
Rep. Bernero even voted against a bill to allow Michigan drivers the opportunity to purchase a specialty vehicle license plate reading “Choose Life”, that would raise funds for adoption programs and abortion alternative agencies (5).
Prior to serving in the Legislature, Bernero personally and very publicly supported Dr. Jack Kevorkian and his deadly assisted suicide practices. Bernero was a supporter of the the 1998 Proposal B ballot campaign to legalize assisted suicide.
1 Senate Bill 395, votes on 5/1/2003 and 9/30/2003, initiative petition 6/9/2004.
2 House Bill 4478, vote on 1/21/2004
3 House Bill 5971, vote on 5/29/2002
4 House Bill 4665, vote on 12/13/2001
5 House Bill 4759, vote on 12/5/2001
