Urgent Alert 9/20/10

* * * URGENT ALERT 9/20/10 * * *

Travis County Commissioners to Vote on $450,000 for Property Tax-Funded Abortions on Tuesday, September 21

We urge you to immediately contact the Travis County Commissioners Court to oppose property tax-funded abortions in Travis County. The Commissioners will vote on Tuesday, September 21, on a budget for Central Health (formerly known as the Travis County Healthcare District) that continues to include a whopping $450,000 for elective abortions (same as the previous budget) funded by property taxes.

The abortions -- nearly 1,000 during the next 12 months -- will be performed on demand on healthy mothers with healthy unborn babies. No medical reason or referral is required.

Despite the expressed opposition of thousands of Travis County residents, on September 15 the Board of Central Health unanimously voted to approve the abortion funding.

Now our attention needs to shift to the five Travis County Commissioners who must approve the budget before it can go into effect.

Pro-life residents of Travis County are urged to show opposition to the abortion funding!

URGENT ACTION

Here are three ways to oppose the proposed $450,000 for elective abortions:

1. Send a message by phone, fax, or email to each of the five members of the Travis County Commissioners:

Travis County Judge Samuel T. Biscoe: Phone: (512) 854-9555, Fax: (512) 854-9535, email

Commissioner, Precinct 1 Ron Davis: Phone: (512) 854-9111, Fax: (512) 854-4897, email

Commissioner, Precinct 2 Sarah Eckhardt: Phone: (512) 854-9222, Fax: (512) 854-6446, email

Commissioner, Precinct 3 Karen Huber: Phone: (512) 854-9333, Fax: (512) 854-9376, email

Commissioner, Precinct 4 Margaret Gómez: Phone: (512) 854-9444, Fax: (512) 854-4886, email

SAMPLE MESSAGE (please use your own words):

Dear Judge / Commissioner (name of Travis County commissioner) (see list above)

I reside in Travis County, and I ask you to oppose the proposed Central Health budget. The budget includes $450,000 to fund elective abortions, abortions performed on healthy mothers with healthy babies for no medical reason. I do not want property taxes to pay for abortions. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your name and address

Let us know you contacted the commissioners sending comments to info@texasallianceforlife.org.

2. Attend the meeting:

Please attend the Travis County Commissioners Court meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, in the County Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of the Granger Building, 314 W. 11th Street in Austin. Here is a map. The meeting is open to the public. Your presence is needed to show opposition to property tax-funded abortions. There will be a person from Texas Alliance for Life there to help you.

The vote on the Central Health budget is Agenda Item #17B.

You may also wish to give a short (2-3 min. max) testimony.

The meeting will be televised live on Travis County Television, local cable station 17, and streamed online.

3. Spread the word and help promote the petition:

Forward this email to church and personal lists.

Sign the "Petition Against Property Tax-Funded Abortions by the Travis County Healthcare District" at https://texasallianceforlife.org/TravisCountyPetition.asp

For updated information, visit: http://www.texasallianceforlife.org.

BACKGROUND

State law requires the Travis County Commissioners Court to approve the annual budget for Central Health before it can go into effect. The each of the five members of the Commissioners Court serve four-year terms are elected on the November general election. Judge Biscoe, Commissioner Eckhardt, and Commissioner Gomez are seeking re-election.

Central Health (formerly the Travis County Healthcare District) is a taxing authority created by voters in 2004 to fund health care for low-income residents. Central Health is governed by a nine-member board of managers -- four appointed by the Travis County Commissioners, four appointed by the Austin City Council, and one jointly appointed. Each serves a four-year term. (Click on each for more information):

Thomas B Coopwood, M.D., Chairperson
Rosie Mendoza, C.P.A., Vice-Chairperson
Frank Rodriguez, Treasurer
Bobbie Barker, Secretary
Clarke Heidrick, J.D.
Donald Patrick, M.D., J.D.
Brenda Coleman-Beattie, M.A.
Anthony Haley
Katrina Daniel, R.N.

No other political subdivision (county, city, or health care district) in Texas besides the Central Health of Travis County funds elective abortions. Nor do the federal and state Medicaid programs.
The City of Austin has funded elective abortions since 1978. In 2004, Central Health took over the City's abortion contracts and renewed them at least three times.
On September 15, 2010, Central Health approved its 2010 annual budget, which includes a $450,000 line item for "Women's Services" (abortions).
The three abortion providers with contracts to perform the elective abortions for Central Health are Planned Parenthood at 201 E. Ben White Blvd., Whole Women's Health at 8401 N. IH 35, and Austin Women's Health Center at 1902 S. IH 35. The contracts can be terminated at any time.
To see the amount of property taxes you are paying to Central Health ("TRAVIS CO HEALTHCARE DIST"), visit the Travis Central Appraisal District at www.traviscad.org.