Gov. Rauner's Catch 22

Have you even been in one of those Damned if you do, damned if you don't positions? Gov. Rauner has recently found himself in one. In 2016, he signed a bill that expanded birth control coverage and access to abortions, over the objections of many social conservatives. The head of the Illinois Family Institute called him a traitor. My conservative colleagues were not happy. Fast forward to 2017. Gov. Rauner once again finds himself in the firing line.

HB 40, would remove the Illinois "trigger law" and make Medicaid pay for elective abortions. Illinois already covers this in cases of rape, incest, and the mothers health. Cook County offers low cost abortions and provides resources to those who need it. The other part of the law removes the so called "trigger law" that would make abortion illegal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Suddenly, it seems Pres. Trump is such a threat we have to act on this now. Except he's not. This is the Democrats using a bill to try and shame Gov. Rauner.

First of all, the Illinois trigger law is a statement of policy and There are no enforceable laws on the books in Illinois about abortion. And this would only happen if the Supreme Court overrules over 40 years of precedent. It's not just Roe v. Wade, its 5 Supreme court decisions that have upheld the constitutionality of abortion. So this is all really just an academic exercise at this point. Mind you this bill hasn't even left the house yet. However, Gov. Rauner said he would veto it. Now Gov. Rauner is anti-choice apparently. This same guy who is going to a Planned Parenthood fundraiser and donated $50,000 while other members of our party compare PP to Satan.

Oh, did I mention the bill also provides approximately $1.8 million yearly from the General Revenue Fund? Which if you are not aware, they can't spend because they haven't passed a budget. So here the Democrats are bringing up a bill that may not pass the House, which repeals a law that can't be enforced in the event the Supreme Court takes a massive 180 on legal precedent, all while proving funding they can't spend for an elective procedure that hasn't been allowed to use tax dollars since 1976.

This whole thing is a sham and a shame. A sham because this bill is could easily be two separate bills and is designed to pressure Gov. Rauner. It's a shame because the Democrats can't pass a budget to help the very people who they are claiming to try and help now. It's a classic pattern that Illinois Democrats have mastered. When you can't point to a fiscal plan, find a social one. Don't fall for it.