Today,
the Michigan Board of Canvassers unanimously approved the signatures
from the NO Taxes for Abortion Insurance petition drive. The Election
Division of the Secretary of State concluded its review of the more than
316,000 signatures and found the validity rate to be nearly 95 percent.
Registered voters from every county in Michigan signed petitions to
initiate the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act; this legislation will keep
tax dollars and health insurance premiums from paying for abortion as
part of standard health insurance offered in Michigan.
The
Michigan Constitution allows the people to initiate legislation through
a petition. With the Michigan Board of Canvassers verifying the
signatures, the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act will now be in the hands
of Michigan representatives and Michigan senators. Because the
legislation was initiated by the citizens, it does not need a signature
from the governor to become law; only a simple majority vote is required
in the Michigan House and Senate. Right to Life of Michigan is
advocating for a vote to be taken as early as possible.
Right
to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "We are thankful
for the people of Michigan who participated in the NO Taxes for Abortion
Insurance petition drive to allow our elected officials the opportunity
to vote on the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act again."
Support
for this policy is clear in Lansing. It is the same legislation which
passed the House and Senate less than a year ago, but was vetoed by
Governor Rick Snyder.
Listing
said, "Michigan citizens do not want to pay for someone else's abortion
with their tax dollars or health insurance premiums. Abortion is not
health care; abortion kills a living, developing human being."
