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House reiterates drive to re-direct money away from family planning services

By teaton@statesman.com | Friday, May 6, 2011, 11:23 AM

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, instructed House conferees who will work with senators to hammer out the state’s budget bill not to put money back into family planning services that the House diverted to other programs, such as one for autism.
The House voted 86-39 to adopt Miller’s non-binding recommendations.
Miller said he’s trying to keep state money from Planned Parenthood, an organization that many Republicans — nationally and in Texas — have targeted.
Miller admitted that the services won’t go to pay for abortions, but he said that it would have gone to organizations — such as Planned Parenthood — that perform abortions.
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, objected to Miller’s suggestion. He asked members not to direct funds away from family planning.
Pleading to Republicans and pro-life lawmakers, Strama said family planning services should be supported. They are the most effective way to reduce the number of abortions, he said.
He also said that Planned Parenthood isn’t the only organization that would benefit from state money to pay for planning family services.