Planned Parenthood Action Fund Statement on Tim Pawlenty’s Announcement that He Will Run for Governor
By Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund, Inc. | April 5, 2018, 8:34 p.m.
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On April 5, 2018, Tim Pawlenty announced he will run for Governor of Minnesota. The following is a statement from Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund.
“Tim Pawlenty left Minnesota with a legacy of extreme laws that limit women’s access to abortion in our state. During his eight years as Governor, he undermined the health of Minnesota women and families, slashing health care funding while the number of uninsured Minnesotans increased by 50 percent. He ultimately left our state with a devastating $6.2 billion budget deficit, which has taken years to recover from.
“As Governor, Pawlenty enacted several severe anti-abortion laws that interfere directly in the relationship between women and their doctor. For example, he signed the “Women’s Right to Know Act” that dictates what doctors must say to women considering an abortion. Under Pawlenty’s leadership, the Minnesota Department of Health then used this law to justify giving women false information linking abortion and breast cancer. Doctors, not politicians, should determine patients’ health care needs. Pawlenty’s laws are not about health care: they are about shaming women about their choice to terminate a pregnancy, implying that she has not thoroughly considered her decision.
“As Governor, Pawlenty would put Planned Parenthood’s patients at serious risk. When he ran for President, he said that Planned Parenthood’s federal funding 'should come to an end.' This puts Pawlenty wildly out of step with most Minnesotans who believe that funding for reproductive health care should be protected and that abortion should remain safe and legal. The Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund will do everything in our power to ensure that the next Governor of Minnesota stands with women and families and will protect our rights to health care, birth control and safe and legal abortion.”
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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
Tags: minnesota, Tim Pawlenty