Urge Henry to Sign SB 714

My friend Tony Lauinger, state chairman of Oklahomans for Life, sends word that Senate Bill 714 was approved by the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 32 to 16. This legislation essentially gets state government out of the abortion business by restricting abortions in state-owned facilities or by state employees. However, the bill doesn't become law until signed by Governor Brad Henry, and the pro-aborts are out in full force pressuring Henry to wield his veto pen.

Now, the bad news is that Henry is not someone who's committed to protecting the life of the unborn. "In a nutshell, I’m pro-choice," he told the Tulsa World in 2002. "It [abortion] is one of the most intensely personal issues and should be decided by a woman, her doctor, her husband, if she has one, and her God." He added, "I don’t believe the government should intrude in people’s personal lives."

The good news, however, is that Henry has shown himself to be blissfully unencumbered by principle. In his quest to be re-elected last year in one of the most conservative states in the nation, he repeatedly defied his base -- cutting the state income tax, repealing the death tax, even signing some pro-life legislation. Which is to say: There's hope he will sign this bill, but he needs to hear from you. Please call the governor's office (405.521.2342) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and urge him to sign SB 714 into law.

Henry's not going to see the light, but he needs to feel the heat.

UPDATE: Some docs are urging Henry to sign the bill.