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

 

 

PPMNS Action Fund Endorses Mark Dayton for Governor

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund (PPAF) applauds Mark Dayton on his win in the DFL primary and proudly endorses him for governor.

“Minnesotans have embraced Mark Dayton’s vision for the state- his commitment to a vibrant economy, job-creation, world-class education for Minnesota’s young people and affordable, accessible health care for all.” said PPAF President Sarah Stoesz.

“As our U.S. Senator, Mark Dayton demonstrated his dedication to Minnesota women and families.” Stoesz said. “He has a long history of fighting for what’s right: access to affordable and high quality health care, including family planning, and protecting the health and safety of women. He has always been a true champion for women’s health,” said Stoesz.

“Dayton’s selection for Lieutenant Governor, Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon, is good news for Minnesota. After a decade in the legislature, she has proven to be a relentless advocate for Minnesota’s women and families.” said Stoesz.

According to a 2009 Hart research poll, 65% of women in battleground states like Minnesota view Planned Parenthood positively, a rating that puts Planned Parenthood just behind Boys and Girls Club of America, and well ahead of other women’s advocacy groups, and both political parties.

“Women will play a pivotal role in this election and so will the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. We will engage in an aggressive effort to educate voters about Tom Emmer’s abysmal record on women’s health and safety. We look forward to working with our many thousands of grassroots activists and supporters across the state to ensure brighter futures for Minnesota women and families,” Stoesz said.

Paid for by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota South Dakota Action Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org

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Emmer can’t hide from his extreme views

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

The National Organization for Marriage and the Minnesota Family Council recently announced that they’d be running a new radio advertisement in Minnesota.  The new ad slams Mark Dayton and Tom Horner for supporting same-sex marriage, while at the same time touting Tom Emmer’s support for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. (via the Minnesota Independent)

For the past several weeks Tom Emmer has been tacitly embroiled in Target’s PR nightmare centering around their $150K donation toward running pro-Emmer ads. While Target has had progressive policies towards same-sex couples and has sponsored Minneapolis’ Pride Parade, they’ve also decided to support Tom Emmer, an extreme social conservative who has made his stance toward GLBT equality perfectly clear.

But as the Minnesota Independent article hints, Tom Emmer is beginning to shy away from discussing his unpopular, conservative stances. During his appearance on Almanac’s debate last Friday, he was asked whether Minnesotans should be able to vote to constitutionally ban gay marriage, to which he replied:

“As a citizen I have a view that is well known. As a governor, it’s not going to be up to the governor. Whether it’s somebody that says they have to oppose it, it’s not up to the governor. It’s up to the legislature,” Emmer said. “And you know what, this election is not about those issues, this election is about the economy, and it’s about jobs.”

Emmer can try to dodge these kinds of questions, but when you have a record like Emmer’s—it’s hard to ignore the truth.

According to our friends at OutFront Minnesota, Tom Emmer has done the following:   

-“Authored a constitutional amendment to exclude gay and lesbian couples from marriage and all other legal protections."

-“Voted to deny local governments the ability to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees.” 

-“Called HIV prevention outreach to gay men ‘disgusting discourse’ and led an effort to strip the Minnesota AIDS Project of state funding”

…and that’s just a FEW examples from a not-so-shortlist of anti-GLBT actions Tom Emmer has taken.

So often the groups and individuals who target GLBT rights are the same groups and individuals who are targeting reproductive rights. That is certainly the case with Tom Emmer. Tom Emmer has: 

-Voted numerous times against giving Minnesota teens responsible, age-appropriate, medically-accurate sex education 

-Voted against improving access to family planning services 

-Sponsored a bill to allow pharmacists the ability to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions.

Planned Parenthood believes in equality—reproductive rights extend to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Tom Emmer’s extreme social conservative views are completely out of step with Minnesotans and so it’s likely that he will continue to downplay these views. We can’t let him hide from these issues. Minnesotans need to know that electing Tom Emmer would be a huge step backward for the health and rights of Minnesotans.

 

VIDEO: Vote for Margaret on August 10th!

The DFL Primary is tomorrow and it's time to get out and vote for Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorsed Candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher!

Help Planned Parenthood with the final push to elect Margaret on August 10th! Visit www.prochoicegov.mn to make a contribution to our Political Action Fund.

Check out our latest video and see Margaret's strong leadership and dedication to women and pro-choice issues! Help win over the undecided voters--- Share the video with your friends on facebook and twitter!

Learn more about Margaret and how she stacks up against Tom Emmer.

And don't forget--Get out and Vote! Let's make sure that Margaret Anderson Kelliher is elected as the first female Governor of Minnesota!

Not sure of your polling place? Click here to find out where to vote!