The Peach State
Georgia, for example, is protecting children both before and after they are born.
The state's heartbeat bill is now in effect, which means any preborn infant whose heartbeat can be detected – usually by 22 days or around six weeks gestation – is safe from abortion. Martha Zoller of Georgia Life Alliance (GLA) tells American Family News (AFN) the measure also holds the father responsible and gives the mother a tax break.
"There will already be a deduction available for that child even before it's born," she says. "You'll be able to pursue medical costs and child support if the woman is not with the father of the child. It's going to really help set women on a more secure course from the time of pregnancy all the way through birth and after."
The state will also recognize preborn humans as legal residents, counting them on census surveys. The law, HB 481, includes exceptions for rape and incest, as well as when a preborn child receives a serious medical diagnosis or if a mother's life is considered to be at risk. Though, as Live Action points out, deliberately killing a preborn human being via abortion is never truly medically necessary.
Additionally, Georgia has extended Medicare benefits to one year after birth.
"We've also updated the laws around foster care, [and] we've updated the laws around adoption," Zoller notes. "We understand that by expecting more from people, as far as responsibility is concerned, that there may be other pieces of this puzzle that have to be strengthened."
Betsy's Law (SB 116), GLA's flagship legislation for 2022 that allows for non-profits to establish free maternity supportive housing for homeless pregnant women, is also in effect. The first of six maternal care homes that will house pregnant women who have been put out of their homes and will offer their babies pediatric care for up to 18 months after the child is born has already been constructed. It is open and housing its first occupant.
The Golden State
In liberal California, an elected official in Orange County is taking a stand for life.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 abortion decision, California quickly responded by proposing a constitutional amendment for the November 8th ballot that would permit unlimited abortion in the state through the point of delivery.
San Clemente City Councilman Steve Knoblock, however, introduced a resolution that would bar abortion within his city's limits.
"I just think we need to honor life," he says. "It's the duty of all elected officials to protect their citizens, including unborn citizens, and we need to respect the dignity of life."
The resolution, he says, was intended to make that statement.
A draft document states that "the City Council of San Clemente considers life to begin at conception." It condemns all abortions, except in instances to save the life of the mother (though Live Action reiterates that life-saving methods that do not intentionally kill a preborn child can be utilized). It also specifically calls out abortion giant Planned Parenthood, saying that its presence would be unwelcome in the city.
Additionally, it condemns the use of chemical abortion while promoting the use of abortion pill reversal for women who change their minds after taking the first of two abortion drugs in the regimen.
This resolution is not, however, like the ordinances enacted in dozens of cities across the nation by the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn organization in that it would not enact penalties for abortion but would serve as a declaration of the city council's pro-life values.
"Unfortunately, the Planned Parenthood crowd was very vocal and I think intimidated some of our council members who would be generally in favor of life," the councilman reports. "I think [they] intimidated and frightened them into backing down."
The city council voted 3-1 to rescind a previous action that would have placed hid resolution on the August 16th ballot. Knoblock says that just denies city residents the right to voice their opinion.
"We're in a very liberal state, and if people don't stand up and speak for life, we're just going to continue to have a culture of death," he warns.
Pro-life voters will still have the chance in November to vote against Proposition 1, the constitutional amendment that would completely open the door on abortion in the state.
The Buckeye State
In pro-life Ohio, the state's largest city has stepped out of line from the rest of the state.
Beth Vanderkooi of Greater Columbus Right to Life (GCRTL) tells AFN Columbus city officials recently unanimously approved a $1 million slush fund for the abortion cartel, including Planned Parenthood.
One provision calls for investigating pro-life pregnancy centers and accusing them of spewing false information to women. Live Action submits it is meant to ensure that women truly feel abortion is their only option.
"This idea that pregnancy centers are somehow tricking women – they're using language like torturing women just simply by offering them a choice," Vanderkooi details. "This is incredibly irresponsible language."
She takes issue with how the city council went about conducting its business.
"It's wrong that City Council is spending more than $1 million of taxpayer dollars without having public hearings," the pro-lifer contends. "They're passing it at the last minute [and] immediately recessing for the summer [with] no option for public input, no option for public review."
Vanderkooi says it is simply not good government.
Columbus will also neither follow nor enforce the state's pro-life laws – a move the GCRTL spokeswoman describes as "woke nonsense."
