Rep. Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, has taken on the controversial subject of abortion in one of his bills this year.
His bill seeks to codify a federal law that bans partial-birth abortion into state law. Thirty-one states already have done this since the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the federal law a year ago, he said.
Partial-birth abortions, also called intact dilatation and extraction, typically are late-term abortions in which the feet-end of the baby comes out of the birth canal before a doctor punctures its head to allow easy removal.
"I'm pro-life, but we're not going to put a woman in jail who has an abortion," Tobin said. "This procedure here is an abomination."
The bill would allow partial-birth abortions in cases where the mother's life is at risk.
The House of Representatives approved the bill this month on a 34-25 vote. The Senate has a companion bill.
Tobin is vice chair of the Education (K-12) Committee and serves on three other committees: Environment; Human Services; and Public Institutions and Retirement.
Following is a list of Tobin's 2008 bills. It does not include technical corrections and other minor bills such as bills to continue departments.
• House Bill 2230 - Requires textbook publishers to give universities information about prices and content differences between old and new editions, upon request.
Tobin hopes this will help reduce the spiraling cost of textbooks.
Sen. Tom O'Halleran, R-Sedona, is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate (SB1175).
• HB2231 - Makes changes to reporting requirements and definitions relating to Joint Technological Education Districts.
• HB2234 - Expands the bonding authority of Joint Technological Education Districts. The state currently has 11 such districts, including one in the Verde Valley. School districts in the Prescott region are considering creating one.
• HB2284 - This was an effort to make more driver's license addresses accurate as an aid to law enforcement, but the Department of Motor Vehicles said it will not work, Tobin related.
• HB2285 - This was an effort to repeal a law that says local governments cannot ask architects how much they will charge to design buildings until they go through a lengthy review process.
Commerce Committee Chair Michele Reagan held the bill, Tobin said.
• HB2286 - Requires new school board members to get training in open meetings laws, school finance, conflict resolution and governing board responsibilities within four months of being elected. Several schools are in receivership, and training board members would help, Tobin said.
O'Halleran is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate (SB1358).
• HB2413 - Says a homeowner's association cannot impose a mandatory fee on members for property that the association does not own or operate for the benefit of the members.
This is an attempt to help Prescott Lakes subdivision residents in Prescott.
• HB2441 - Creates a referral process to help teachers get easy access to resources for blind and dyslexic students.
• HB2723 - Allows communities within 10 miles of national parks or monuments to establish alternative sales taxing districts. Tusayan near the Grand Canyon asked for this ability because it is too small to form a municipality but it has massive seasonal infrastructure needs because of tourism.
O'Halleran is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate (SB1331).
• HB2734 - Would create a new driving infraction of distracted driving, subject to an extra fine. Transportation Chair Andy Biggs refused to give it a hearing, Tobin said.
• HB2739 - An attempt to set up the Arizona Centennial Scholars Program that Gov. Janet Napolitano called for in this year's State of the State address. Starting in the state's centennial year of 2012, she wants students to go to college for free.
In this tight budget year, the fund is unlikely to get any money, Tobin noted. Estimates say this program will cost $30 million per year, but Tobin thinks that is low.
He is trying to come up with ways to reduce the costs, such as helping students graduate from high school early and then putting the saved money into college.
• HB2769 - Outlaws partial-birth abortions unless the mother's life is in danger. The U.S. Supreme Court last year upheld the legality of the federal law outlawing such abortions.
• HB2804 - Requires health insurers to disclose all commissions, service fees, brokerages, bonuses, etc. that go to insurance producers, consultants or employees.
Tobin said he is concerned that some consultants who manage insurance pools get extra compensation that costs local governments too much money.
Posted: Monday, March 17, 2008
Article comment by:
Patrick
It's hard for me to understand how anyone (pro-life or pro-choice) can be a supporter of partial birth abortions (unless perhaps in life/death situation for the mother). It is a profoundly disturbing procedure. If a woman wants to get an abortion out of choice alone, do it in the first trimester. Is that really asking too much?
I think of myself as generally pro-choice but the folks that approve of this procedure as no big deal have lost me.
Posted: Monday, March 17, 2008
Article comment by:
maybedis
Stay out of other people's business. If you don't think its right to get an abortion, don't get one. If you are a male, keep your mouth shut.
Posted: Sunday, March 16, 2008
Article comment by:
Brian Williams
It's easy to be anti-abortion when you're not the one who's mother was a violent psycopath. Rep. Tobin is the classic example of a moral free-rider. He claims the moral piety that is paid for by others. What troubles me so much about people like him is the fact not only does he claim piety paid for by someone else, but that he likely hates those who are the ones who carry the burden of his politics.
The day he compensates those of us who paid for his morality is the day he cn claim any sort of moral high ground, until then he's just a free rider.
