Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Democrats sharply rejected one GOP lawmaker’s proposal for a rape and incest exception that would have permitted abortion up to six weeks gestation and required the assault to be reported to law enforcement.
They said the time frame was too short to help most victims, who may not be able to immediately report to law enforcement. Some victims are children, and confiding in adults might not be safe. And, many people don’t even find out they’re pregnant until after six weeks, they said.
“It may be well-intended, but I think this is a slap in the face,” Democratic Del. Joey Garcia of Marion County said.
Republican Del. Steve Westfall of Jackson County said he limited his proposal to six weeks because he believes life begins when a fetus develops a heartbeat. He said he understood how the narrow time frame might prohibit victims from getting abortions, but that he sought a compromise.
“I think unlimited time is too long, but I’d like to see rape and incest get in there,” he said.
Westfall said he doesn’t support abortion, but would want his four daughters to have a choice if they were ever victims of assault.
Movement on the abortion bill came as work slowed on Justice’s proposal to reduce the state income tax rate by 10%. The bill was scheduled for a second reading Wednesday in the House. If it passes, it would move to the Senate.
Senate President Craig Blair prefers a cut in the state personal property tax. But the state constitution allows only addressing legislation specifically mentioned in the governor’s special session proclamation, so the Senate can’t address those taxes this week.
A 10% reduction is the maximum cut allowed while remaining in compliance with funding stipulations in the American Rescue Plan Act, he said. Justice said the proposal would be retroactive to Jan. 1 and would put $254 million back into residents’ pockets when they file their 2022 taxes.
The governor’s pitch is the third attempt to cut personal state income taxes in the past year.
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Associated Press writer John Raby contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared here.
