Retiring state representative Tim Miller hasn't gotten this much attention since he stood on the Minnesota House floor and bemoaned litter boxes in public schools last spring.
This one's got legs. is it worth the gambe?
From our late August post, Retiring state rep Miller to push unconstitutional local ordinances for new PLAM Action job, to StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller, Bluestem's been the story of the PLAM man's local anti-abortion ordinance.
Now the local Forum News Service paper in Willmar has taken up the issue in Prinsburg, Minnesota, considering abortion ordinance, which is called 'unconstitutional' by attorney general. Tom Cherveny reports:
A proposed ordinance that would allow residents in Prinsburg to file civil lawsuits against abortion providers could thrust the small Kandiyohi County community of just over 500 residents into the larger debate over abortion, if not the courtroom as well.
Shortly after news of the proposed ordinance broke, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent a letter to Prinsburg Mayor Roger Ahrenholz. The Nov. 23 letter to the city advised that “any municipal ordinance which limits the fundamental rights of pregnant Minnesotans to receive an abortion is unconstitutional.”
“No city in Minnesota has the power to restrict the right to abortion or enact conflicting regulations on health care providers,” stated the attorney general.
State Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, brought the proposed ordinance to the Prinsburg City Council on Nov. 15. The council took it under consideration. It will need to hold a public hearing before taking action, according to Miller. He has been working with Pro-Life Ministries of St. Paul after deciding not to seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. . . .
Prinsburg will not have the expense of defending the ordinance should it be approved and challenged in court, according to Miller. A pro-life organization has committed to writing and defending the ordinance.
The ordinance is based on a similar ordinance originally adopted by communities in Texas. The ordinance was successfully defended in a case against the city of Lubbock, Texas, according to Miller.
The ordinance is not in apparent conflict with Texas law, however, as that state has effectively banned abortion, except if the "pregnant patient is facing 'a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy,'” according to a Texas Tribune news story describing Texas abortion law.
The text of the ordinance is being drafted for Prinsburg by the attorney who drafted the Texas ordinances. Attorney Jonathan Mitchell is working with the Thomas Moore Society, a pro-life organization. The organization has agreed to both write and defend the ordinance for the city of Prinsburg, according to Miller. . . .
Organizations supporting reproductive rights believe the proposed ordinance violates state constitutional rights and is contrary to the views of most Minnesotans.
“The Minnesota courts have repeatedly said Minnesotans have a right to abortion and that the government can’t interfere or put thumbs on the scale to influence someone’s decision about abortion or continuing a pregnancy,” said Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice, a nonprofit legal and policy advocacy organization.
According to its website , the organization often represents individuals in legal cases brought under federal civil rights statutes as well as state statutes like the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Peterson said the recent election showed that there is "overwhelming support" for protecting abortion rights in the state. . . .
She called Miller’s proposal an “act of desperation.” She charged that Miller and his supporters are “trying to import this outrageous scheme from Texas where they are essentially asking neighbors to spy on their neighbors to monitor their pregnancy status and health care ... then, waste taxpayer dollars bringing civil lawsuits to scare, shame and punish their own neighbors for accessing health care that is safe, legal and constitutionally protected in Minnesota.”
Peterson said it is more than a matter of access to health care for people facing pregnancy at a time that is not right for them. She said anti-abortion groups are also attempting to prevent care for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.
“Let’s leave the health care to the health care providers and decisions about what health care they need to the patients themselves,” said Peterson, “and not find ways to force people’s personal or religious or moral beliefs on each other.”
Read the entire report at the West Central Tribune.
Related posts
- StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller
- MN News Network: Prinsburg in west-central MN is “launch site” for new anti-abortion strategy
- Tuesday, Prinsburg City Council heard Tim Miller propose PLAM Action anti-abortion ordinance
- Retiring state rep Miller to push unconstitutional local ordinances for new PLAM Action job.
- Tall grass prairie? State representative Tim Miller goes to Moorhead for grassroots organizing
- Retiring Rep. Tim Miller will work for Brian Gibson at Pro-Life Action Ministries sister group
- We won't have Tim Miller to kick around anymore--at least as a MN House member
- New House Republican Tim Miller shares unique understanding of gas tax in legislative update
- State rep Tim Miller: MN state public officials beholden to radical anti-livestock enviro groups
Image: The town sign for Prinsburg. Via Alchetron entry for Prinsburg.
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