TN: Gov. Haslam can use his line item veto to defund PP....will he??

 Texas Governor Rick Perry is holding a special session to resolve the wording problem in their budget to defund Planned Parenthood and direct the Title X monies to other sources such as public health depts. and other entities that do not also perform  abortions. I commend Gov. Perry for doing this.

Now in TN, our Gov. Bill Haslam ran on a strong pro life platform and  said during the campaign that he  would defund  Planned Parenthood.

"I guess the big question is what is meant by family planning," Haslam responded. "If it's having Planned Parenthood run it out of state dollars, I would not be in favor of that. I would not be in favor of state dollars going to abortion, either. Are there other things that we can do to help on this very serious issue in Tennessee? You bet."

Candidate Bill Haslam, Speaking to TN Economic Council on Women

October 19, 2010

Gov. Haslam does not have to go to the expense of calling a special session to resolve this. He has the line item veto  to fix this and do what the General Assembly clearly intended and what the people of TN, absent the abortion industry, wants.  Timing is important here and I encourage you to take the time TODAY to email the Gov. and call his office and respectfully ask him to keep his campaign promise and defund PP with his line item veto. If you have done this before, please do it again TODAY.

Don't be fooled by the editorials and printed opinions of those who  rely upon the lucrative abortion industry.....when we pay tax money to PP it is the money in the operating budget that pays the rent, utilities, salaries and benefits of those who perform abortion and non abortion services. 

Just think about it....there is no logical way that money can be segregated. As former PP director, Abby Johnson stated they rely upon the tax money.  

This is all about our two counties.... Davidson (Nashville) and Shelby(Memphis) whose  Health Depts. say they pass on the Title X money to PP because they lack the capacity to perform the services. Well interesting that Hamilton (Chattanooga) and Knox(Knoxville) manage to do this. They can staff up and the Director in Nashville even  stated on NPR radio that they would step up and perform necessary services if this legislation  passed. 

Please take two minutes and make the call and send the email and pass on to your pro life friends....

Office of Governor Bill Haslam

1st Floor, State Capitol

Nashville,  TN   37243

(615) 741-2001

bill.haslam@tn.gov

CALL TO ACTION for Knox County TN Parents & Citizens

Read the back story here and here about Planned Parenthood and the parents of Knox county, TN.

This past Friday, the Knox County Schools announced that, effective next school year, all sexual health instruction will be provided by Knox County teachers or the Knox County Health Department.  While we are thankful that Planned Parenthood has been removed from direct contact with students in our Knox County classrooms, we remain deeply concerned about their continuing influence on Knox County students.  

Planned Parenthood is rallying their supporters to attend tomorrow's school board meeting to protest their removal from the list of approved providers.  To that end, and because of the following concerns, we ask you to please attend the board meeting.  A strong showing from our supporters is important.  You are encouraged to get there as early as possible to insure you get a seat in the room. 

Meeting Details

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City-County Building's Main Assembly Room 

400 Main Street (Downtown)

Wednesday, March 2nd at 5:00pm 

The community forum is at the end of the Board's scheduled business session.

Among the issues to be discussed:

1)  Dr. McIntyre's review committee said that the content of Planned Parenthood's websites was inappropriate for students, but Dr. McIntyre indicated that Planned Parenthood would be allowed to continue through the end of the year, so as not to inconvenience teachers.  If Planned Parenthood's web content is inappropriate, then our children should not be exposed to their ideology for the reminder of the year.  Surely this is worth a little inconvenience for our teachers.

2)  Planned Parenthood provides professional development training for Health and Wellness teachers across the state of Tennessee.  Allowing teachers to participate in such training, perhaps at school system expense, gives Planned Parenthood a continuing advocate in our classrooms.  A number of parents have asked teachers and principals to disclose whether or not they have participated in such training, but have been met with stonewalling.  If Planned Parenthood isn't fit to teach our students, then they aren't suitable to train those who DO teach our students. 

3)  With outside groups, including abstinence educators, now prohibited from teaching in these classes, what curriculum will be utilized and what materials and references will be provided for students?  Will there be uniformity to these lessons across the entire Knox County School system?  Who will design the curriculum?  Will teachers be permitted to utilize Planned Parenthood's curriculum or materials, which give a very dim view of abstinence?  When and how will the administration make new curriculum available for public review and comment?

Again, your presence at this meeting will go a long way toward letting our administration know that we take this matter seriously.  Take this opportunity to TAKE A STAND for the youth of our community and the future of our culture!

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK - SIGN THE PETITION

Join our Facebook group to get updates and sign the petition against Planned Parenthood.  Or, visit the NoKnoxvilleAbortion website for more info or to sign the petition. 

Hughes runs for Rep to replace McCord.... East TN

On March 23 Scott Hughes officially filed a petition to run for the Tennessee State House of Representative seat for District 8. District 8 covers portions of Blount and Sevier County. The areas covered include Alcoa, Townsend, Rockford, Walland, Gatlinburg, and portions of Maryville, Seymour, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

Hughes, his wife Raychel and their four children have lived in District 8 for six years. Currently they reside off of Burnett Station Road in Seymour. Three of their four children attend Porter Elementary School. Hughes and his wife are dedicated to District 8 and feel very fortunate to be residing and sending their children to school in the District.

“I would like to thank and commend Representative Joe McCord for his twelve years of service to this District. His leadership in Nashville has proved to be very beneficial for our community. I have thought about running for many years, but did not see a reason to run against a conservative legislator like Representative McCord. I look forward to meeting many residents over the next four months leading up to the primary election. I am a man that has lived his life based on the conservative values of my faith and my family. A man that has devoted my life to many social justice causes, including the defense of the unborn. I believe in Blount and Sevier County and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve,” said Hughes

Hughes has worked in non-profit management for the past ten years, most recently as Executive Director of a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Knoxville. He has been an active part of the Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee. He believes in personal responsibility and limited government. He strongly supports the “Tennessee Health Freedom Act”, which would declare it state policy that Tennesseans have the right to decline federally mandated health insurance.

Hughes believes what Blount and Sevier County needs is a leader, not another politician. Scott believes strongly in, leadership, life, fiscal Responsibility, family, education, justice and environment.

For more information on the Scott Hughes Campaign contact the campaign phone number at (865) 356-4354 or through the campaign Web site at www.electscotthughes.com He can also be reached by emailing him at scohughes@gmail.com