California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing that the Golden State shell out millions of dollars on pro-choice measures.
Newsom — a Democrat who survived a recall election in the Golden State last year and is now running another term in office — is proposing $1 million for what a press release describes as a “Comprehensive Reproductive Rights Website.”
That money would go “to develop and maintain a website that provides accurate and updated information to the public on the right to abortion under state law, information about reproductive health care providers, and options for coverage for reproductive health services, including state-funded coverage and programs,” according to the release.
The governor is suggesting a whopping $40 million to go toward “grants to reproductive health care providers to offset the cost of providing care to low- and moderate-income individuals who do not have health care coverage for abortion care services,” the press release states.
He is also suggesting “$15 million for grants to community-based reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to conduct medically accurate and culturally competent outreach and education on sexual health and reproductive health issues” and “$1 million for research regarding the unmet needs for access to reproductive health care services,” according to the release.
A leaked Supreme Court draft opinion indicated that the high court is poised to issue a ruling that would allow states to prohibit abortion — in that case, women who want to have an abortion could choose to travel to states like California.
“California will not stand idly by as extremists roll back our basic constitutional rights; we’re going to fight like hell, making sure that all women – not just those in California – know that this state continues to recognize and protect their fundamental rights,” Newsom said, according to the press release. “We’re expanding access to these critical services, welcoming businesses and their employees fleeing anti-abortion states, and reaffirming our commitment to continuing to work closely with the Legislature and reproductive rights stakeholders to further solidify California’s leadership on abortion rights.”