From the legislature this afternoon:

* FETUS FRENZY: By a 19-11 vote, the Senate today approved a bill aimed at stopping state funding to Planned Parenthood. The bill would restrict spending on any agency that refers or otherwise countenances abortion and the sponsor made it clear in committee that was the purpose — to punish Planned Parenthood, one reason that the bill is constitutionally suspect. The practical effect is to stop spending on some sex education programs aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

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UPDATE: See jump for Planned Parenthood’s response to the vote. But note particularly this part:

This bill is much broader than other state efforts to restrict women’s health funding. If enacted this legislation could prohibit public funds through the state for not only doctors who provide abortion, but anyone that refers for abortion, or contracts with an entity which does. That means, domestic violence shelters or rape crisis centers that provide referrals for abortion could be in danger of losing funding.

Jason Rapert and them, who worship the 2nd Amendment, kindly don’t like the 1st Amendment when it comes to talking about stuff they don’t like.

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* SCHOOL ELECTIONS: The House today defeated legislation to move school elections to November. The vote was 32-42 and three not voting.

School elections are now held in September and generally restricted to school issues. Turnout is invariably light, even on tax increases, when compared with regular elections. School officials like the separate elections because they tend to draw only people who follow schools closely. The fear — or hope in some cases — is that broad participation in school elections in the years in which regular elections occur will bring reflexive anti-tax votes from people who have no children in schools.

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The bill passed the Senate earlier.

* NONPARTISAN PROSECUTORS: The Senate approved a bill originating in the House to have prosecuting attorneys run for office on a non-partisan basis.

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* AS CAPITOL ZONING TURNS: The bill by Republican Nate Bell of Mena to abolish the Capitol Zoning District Commission because he doesn’t like its fence rule will be up in committee tomorrow. The downtown preservation community is organizing to protest this incursion on sound planning. Meanwhile, at least the hold on the commission’s appropriation has been lifted and approved by both houses.

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