“Bogus Disclaimer” Added To FL Abortion Measure

July 20, 2024 Politics, Republicans

The Washington Post reports:

A Florida panel has approved language that will appear beneath an abortion ballot proposal in November that states the referendum will “negatively impact the state budget,” a move that reproductive rights proponents call “a dirty trick.”

The financial impact language says public funds may be required to pay for abortions, and that possible lawsuits could be costly. The statement concludes that “costs cannot be estimated with precision,” but asserts that if the amendment passes, it could be bad for growth in the state.

Last fall, the panel approved language that said the impact of Amendment 4 was “indeterminate.” Since then, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R) appointed new members to the panel who voted to change the financial statement that will be on the ballot.

Here’s the new wording:



The proposed amendment would result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year in Florida. The increase in abortions could be even greater if the amendment invalidates laws requiring parental consent before minors undergo abortions and those ensuring only licensed physicians perform abortions.

There is also uncertainty about whether the amendment will require the state to subsidize abortions with public funds. Litigation to resolve those and other uncertainties will result in additional costs to the state government and state courts that will negatively impact the state budget.

An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time. Because the fiscal impact of increased abortions on state and local revenues and costs cannot be estimated with precision, the total impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate.

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