Planned Parenthood Advocate

Pawlenty's record on women's health way outside the mainstream

Among the Presidential candidates performing with the GOP traveling circus: two of Minnesota’s own, Bachmann and Pawlenty. While the former has always been more than a little out of the mainstream, Pawlenty seems to be gaining momentum by affixing his name to the ever-popular political pledges that seem to be floating around so much you’d think it was a recruitment for the Boy Scouts. (Do they get badges to sew to their blazers, too?)

Amidst the onslaught of pledges is one that is particularly troubling to advocates of choice and responsible family planning. An anti-choice pledge to make abortion illegal and defund Planned Parenthood (among its talking points) is making its way through the ranks. Pawlenty is among those who have signed on the dotted line, vowing to remain close-minded and short-sighted and to only appoint other close-minded short-seers should he become President.

Tim Pawlenty’s courage to pander

If you haven’t seen Tim Pawlenty’s video to promote his book, “Courage to Stand,” then it is my distinct honor to present this powerful viral sensation  (I hope my sarcasm is coming across):

As Minnesotans, we all knew that "Tpaw" was getting a little “big for his britches,” but this whole Presidential Run/Book Tour has turned him into a real “Ricky Hollywood!” OMG, did you see those effects???

In all seriousness though… seriously, Tim Pawlenty?  “Courage to Stand?”  When has that ever been a descriptor for Pawlenty’s political career? In Minnesota, Pawleny preferred to paint himself as a moderate, common-sense, conservative, but the truth is he was anything but.  Pawlenty catered to every right-wing, extreme conservative group in the book. He consistently towed the line for the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the Minnesota Family Council, and the Tea Partiers, supporting efforts to roll back access to reproductive services and comprehensive sex ed.

Maybe he’s talking about having the “courage to stand” up against the uninsured? Or the “courage to stand” up against teens who would like to know how to protect themselves from STIs?  Or the "courage to stand" up against 90% of parents who want their kids to have medically-accurate, fact-based sex ed? 

Seriously? “Courage to Stand?” What is he talking about? Maybe that video will work nationally, but it’s not working in Minnesota!

-by Karina, Web Editor, Planned Parenthood Advocate

Governor Pawlenty Issues Executive Order Targeting Well-Being of Minnesotans for Political Gain

Governor Pawlenty released an Executive Order today barring state agencies from submitting any applications to the federal government in connection with requests for grant funding for programs and projects connected with the federal health care reform bill. This order takes effect 15 days after publication in the State Register.

“Because of this executive order, the state of Minnesota will not be allowed to share in the bipartisan progress made through health care reform. It’s an unconscionable move at the expense of the health of Minnesotans,” said Sarah Stoesz, PPMNS President and CEO. “This action has moved Minnesota from the cutting edge to the back of the line,” Stoesz said.

One of the many funding opportunities lost as a result of Governor Pawlenty’s action is the loss of PREP, a program that would have provided nearly 1 million dollars in federal funding to the state of Minnesota for comprehensive sex education. This programming is profoundly needed in communities across the state.

“Minnesota’s young people are in the midst of an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, with rates rising to historic levels,” Stoesz said. “The PREP program, which Governor Pawlenty turned down yesterday, was created to teach teens how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, protect their health, make responsible decisions, and learn critical skills needed to form healthy relationships with parents, peers and partners,” said Stoesz.

“Nearly half of all Minnesota teens are sexually active by their senior year. It’s not fiscally sound or morally responsible to deny these teens the information they need to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of infections that can lead to infertility and chronic illness,” Stoesz said.

“Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the power of education to help teens make responsible decisions about their health and calls on Governor Pawlenty to accept the funding and protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Stoesz.

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola 651.755.9557

 

STOESZ’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR PAWLENTY’S REFUSAL OF FEDERAL PREP FUNDING

PPMNS PRESIDENT AND CEO SARAH STOESZ’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR PAWLENTY’S REFUSAL OF FEDERAL FUNDING

“It defies logic that the governor of a state in a budget crisis would turn away nearly a million dollars in federal funding for services that are profoundly needed across Minnesota. Minnesota’s young people are in the midst of an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, with rates rising to historic levels,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.

“The federal government is now committed to fully funding programs that work. Governor Pawlenty is refusing those funds in favor of failed abstinence-only policy that will cost the state of Minnesota nearly $400,000,” Stoesz said.

“The PREP program, which Governor Pawlenty turned down today, was created to teach teens how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, protect their health, make responsible decisions, and learn critical skills needed to form healthy relationships with parents, peers and partners,” said Stoesz.

“Nearly half of all Minnesota teens are sexually active by their senior year. It’s not fiscally sound or morally responsible to deny these teens the information they need to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of infections that can lead to infertility and chronic illness,” Stoesz said.

A Peter D. Hart Research poll shows a majority of voters in nearly every demographic category, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents, as well as Catholics and evangelical Christians, support comprehensive sex education.

“Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the power of education to help teens make responsible decisions about their health and calls on Governor Pawlenty to accept the funding and protect the health and well-being of our young people,” said Stoesz.

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CONTACT: Kathi Di Nicola 651.755.9557

 

 

Pawlenty Stumping for Anti-Choicers

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Governor Pawlenty is headed to Washington! Again! But instead of holding fundraisers for his “Freedom PAC”, or courting conservative voters, he’ll be stumping for the anti-choicers at
  Susan B. Anthony List's Annual Gala. Susan B. Anthony’s List’s mission is “ending abortion in this country” by electing pro-life women.

Via Politico:

“We’re so pleased to have Gov. Tim Pawlenty headline our Campaign for Life Gala,” Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser told POLITICO. “The governor’s actions on behalf of Minnesota women and unborn children are exemplary.”

Personally, as a Minnesotan women, I couldn’t be more unhappy with the actions that the Governor has taken on “my behalf.” Let’s take a look at some of those actions:

•    Signed the women’s right-to-know act, which instituted a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion and also forces a doctor to read biased and scientifically unverified language to women prior to the procedure.

•    Allowed his Department of Health to propagate misinformation about the links between abortion and breast cancer.

•    Provided funding for “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” which pose as legitimate health care centers, but often give out medically inaccurate information and religious “advice.”

Women can at least be thankful for the fact that the Governor didn’t gut the Family Planning and Special Projects Grants that partially fund organizations who provide family planning services.

The Politico article attributes Pawlenty’s latest speaking gig to another attempt toward building his national “brand.”

Thankfully there are nearly a dozen pro-choice gubernatorial candidates who support policies that will actually help women and families in our state through pro-active policies that reduce the rates of unintended pregnancies through improving access to the tools and information Minnesotans need to be healthy.  AND they are actually interested in governing our state!

Help us ensure that we elect one of these pro-choice candidates and make sure that our next Governor is Pro-choice! Visit prochoicegov.mn and make a donation to our Political Action Fund.

So we don't have Cliff and Frasier stumping for us but...

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

As you probably heard, our Governor, Tim Pawlenty had a large fundraiser in Minneapolis featuring guest speakers, Cliff (John Ratzenberger)  Jon Voight (of Deliverance and Midnight Cowboy fame), and a special call-in speech from Frasier (Kelsey Grammer).  They were all there to help Governor Pawlenty raise funds for his “Freedom First” PAC, which is raising funds to elect conservative candidates who are are putting “Freedom First.”

Well, guess what?? WE, too, have PAC that is also focused on putting Freedom First—Reproductive Freedom--- which given Governor Pawlenty’s anti-choice record, is probably not the kind “Freedom” he has in mind for his PAC.  

The Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund recently launched an online fundraising campaign for our PAC in order to elect a Pro-Choice Governor in Minnesota in 2010, who supports reproductive freedom, as well as comprehensive sex ed, family planning, and other policies that reduce unintended pregnancies and STIs.

We don’t have Cliff or Frasier, but we do have the support of Minnesotans who are supportive of not letting the government interfere with the most private and personal decisions. We’d love to have your support too.  

So show your support for electing progressive, pro-choice candidates in Minnesota by making a donation to our PAC.  At the same time you’ll be sticking it Frasier and Cliff, showing your disapproval for Pawlenty not including Reproductive Freedom in his PAC.

We appreciate your contribution in any amount.

Ask the Governor to support the BPA Free Baby Products bill and the Toxic Free Kids Act

On Tuesday, a week after the Minnesota Senate passed the BPA Free Baby products bill, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, 126-5 in support of this bill that would phase out the harmful toxin bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles and "sippy" cups. As you know, BPA has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive disorders, learning disabilities, and much more and it is used in our children's products. Minnesota would be the first state in the US to place restrictions on the use of bisphenol A!

Furthermore, this past Monday the Minnesota house and senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the Toxic Free Kids Act. This bill would grant authority to the Minnesota Department of Health to create a list of toxic chemicals so we can be more informed about the products we use.

What does this all Mean? Governor Pawlenty now has the ability to protect the health of children in Minnesota but he needs to hear from YOU!

It's simple: just call him and tell him that Minnesotan's want a Governor that protects the health of children. And ask: Can we count on you to be that governor and support the BPA Free Baby Products bill and the Toxic Free Kids Act?

Governor Pawlenty's Phone Number: (651) 296-3391
Feel free to call in the evening and just leave a message!