Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona signed into law on Friday a bill that will prevent the allocation of public funds to abortion providers in the state. Ironically titled the “Whole Women’s Health Funding Priority Act,” the law will cut all funding for health services delivered by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, effecting the nearly […]
Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed a bill on Thursday that prohibits abortions in the state after 20 weeks. The bill, passed earlier this week by the state legislature, essentially bans abortions after 18 weeks because gestational age of the fetus will be calculated based on the last menstrual period of the woman. In a press […]
A bill was approved by the Arizona State House last Thursday that would place further restrictions on birth control access in the state by giving employers the right to refuse coverage for contraception under their insurance. House Bill 2625 would allow employers to cite moral or religious reasons to exempt employees from birth control coverage […]
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case, Arizona v. United States, concerning whether Arizona can impose its own stringent immigration law, given that immigration enforcement is typically under the purview of the federal government.Arizona’s SB 1070 mandates that police investigate and detain anyone believed to be undocumented and make arrests without warrants […]
On Friday, US District Court Judge Susan Bolton dismissed Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s (R) lawsuit against the federal government charging it with inadequate enforcement of immigration laws. Governor Brewer’s case was a countersuit to the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice challenging the constitutionality of Arizona immigration law (SB 1070). The state requested that […]
Planned Parenthood of Arizona has won a temporary victory over new state laws restricting access to mifepristone, also known as RU-486 or the “abortion pill.” The two statutes would have taken effect on July 20, requiring the pill to be administered by a doctor rather than a nurse practitioner. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Richard […]
On Tuesday, a federal appeals court has ruled against ruled against Proposition 200, a law that requires people to show proof of U.S. citizenship before registering to vote. The decision did, however, uphold the portion of the law that requires voters to show identification before entering the ballot box, CNN reports. According to CNN, Governor […]
Lady Gaga spoke out against Arizona’s anti-immigration law, SB 1070, at a show in Phoenix, Arizona last Saturday. Gaga, who had the phrase “Stop SB 1070” written on her forearm, instructed the audience to peaceably protest the state. Gaga told the crowd of over 14,000 that, “We have to be active. We have to protest,” […]
Wednesday, a federal judge blocked key components of Arizona’s strict immigration law, just hours before the law was scheduled to take affect, by issuing a temporary injunction. According to BBC News, US District Judge Susan Bolton has ruled against multiple sections of the Arizona law, including a requirement that police check the immigration status of […]
Arizona Judge Susan Bolton heard arguments from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the state of Arizona on Thursday, as the two debated the legality of Arizona’s new immigration law. Government lawyers are seeking an injunction to prevent the law from taking effect, while attorneys defending Arizona and the state’s Governor, Jan Brewer, are […]
Mexico filed an amicus brief this week against the new Arizona immigration law that argues the new law may damage US-Mexico relations and lead to discrimination against Mexican citizens. The Phoenix Business Journal reports that Mexico filed a brief in favor of the federal lawsuit which claims the law “unfairly targets Hispanics” and that “immigration […]
The University of Arizona plans to reinstate domestic partner benefits despite a new law that goes into effect October 1, eliminating benefits for domestic partners of state workers. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the university will offer medical, dental, and vision plans to domestic partners through an alternate plan that is not funded by […]
A coalition of civil rights groups filed a lawsuit against Arizona’s new immigration law yesterday. The suit was filed in a US District Court and asks for the law to be declared unconstitutional and to have it blocked from going into effect in July. According to the Associated Press, the new lawsuit is the fifth […]
A Catholic nun in Arizona was recently reassigned and “automatically excommunicated” following controversy after she approved an emergency abortion during a patient medical crisis late in 2009. Sister Margaret McBride was a senior administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. A statement released by the hospital said, “In this tragic case, the treatment necessary to […]
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill Tuesday that bans ethnic studies classes in the state’s public schools. The new law (see PDF) bans classes that “promote the overthrow of the United States government,” “promote resentment toward a race or class of people,” “are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group,” or “advocate […]
An Arizona judge ordered Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio to end a requirement for inmates to prepay transportation and security costs prior to obtaining an abortion. A 2005 lawsuit struck down the Arpaio’s policy of prohibiting jail officials from transporting a prisoner for an abortion without a court order. However, Arpaio allegedly began requiring women […]
Two Planned Parenthood officials resigned from Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s (R) Commission on Women’s and Children’s Health last week amidst growing concerns about the governor’s policy on women’s health issues. Planned Parenthood Arizona (PPA) Chair Dr. Candace Lew and PPA President and CEO Bryan Howard submitted a letter of resignation that accuses Governor Brewer of […]
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is again asking an Arizona court to stop Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio from preventing female inmates from accessing abortion services. A 2005 lawsuit struck down the Sheriff’s policy of prohibiting jail officials from transporting a prisoner for an abortion without a court order. However, Arpaio allegedly began requiring […]
On Tuesday, the Arizona state Senate passed a restrictive anti-choice bill on a 16 to 12 vote. The bill is now awaiting final approval of Republican Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who has an anti-choice record. She replaced current Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano who vetoed several pieces of anti-choice legislation while Arizona Governor. This legislation […]
The Arizona state Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee recommended that the full Senate pass two anti-choice bills Wednesday. The bill would allow pharmacists to refuse to honor prescriptions for emergency contraceptives due to moral objections. It also would require minors to receive notarized parental consent prior to an abortion, a 24-hour waiting period […]
