August 12, 2005

"Judge reaches split decision in ballot fight"

"A Sacramento judge gave victories to both sides Thursday in a ballot argument fight over Prop. 73, the initiative that would require notification of parents or a waiver from a judge before a girl could get an abortion.

Superior Court Judge Raymond Cadei refused to strike a voter-guide statement made by the measure's supporters that parental notification laws in other states had reduced teen pregnancy and abortion rates "without danger and harm to minors."

He also ordered opponents to find other wording than to say that girls who sought a waiver from a judge would be put "on trial."

But he refused to strike an argument by opponents that "millions of concerned parents" opposed the initiative or to order the opponents to spell out that the measure could affect girls as young as 10, 11 or 12 instead of just teenagers.

He also wouldn't order changes sought by Prop. 73 supporters in the brief description of the proposal that was drafted by the attorney general and legislative analyst's office."

You can find the full story here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at August 12, 2005 08:34 PM