BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT THOMAS -- The sponsor of a bill mandating a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is concerned not enough lawmakers will return to Frankfort next week to override Gov. Paul Patton's veto Tuesday of the legislation. "Next week is spring break, and I think a lot of people are going to be out of town," said Rep. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas, who sponsored the so-called informed-consent bill.
"I'm calling legislators to make sure they are going to be there. It would be a shame, if we passed this bill, then didn't have the people and the votes to override the veto," she said.
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference in Lexington, Ky., Mr. Patton formally vetoed the bill, which requires any woman seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after first contacting the doctor or clinic scheduled to perform the abortion.
The bill passed the Kentucky House, 75-19, and the Senate, 25-11. A simple majority of 51 House members and 20 Senators is needed to override a veto in Kentucky. The Kentucky General Assembly will meet April 15 to consider legislation vetoed by the governor.
But while Mrs. Stine is concerned about legislators returning to Frankfort next week, General Assembly leaders are not.
"I guarantee people will be there," said House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green. "And the legislature will override that bill."
"I'm not a bit concerned," said Senate President Larry Saunders, D-Louisville. "The members will be there. It's their obligation and their duty, and they are determined to override that veto." In addition to the waiting period, the bill stipulates that a woman must be given a long list of information about such things as adoption, child-support, and other medical and social services available to parents. The information is also to include depictions of a fetus at various stages of development.
But Mr. Patton said the issue is larger than abortion.
"Kentucky state government should not force a burdensome waiting period accompanied by state-mandated propaganda on our citizens prior to any private decision, whether it be a matter related to choosing one's religious beliefs, choosing a system of education, choosing a partner in marriage or choosing to undergo any type of medical procedure," he said.
He also warned of the tyranny of a majority imposing its will on other subjects.
"This subject goes far beyond the issue of abortion," Mr. Patton said. "No one knows where that path might lead." The Associated Press contributed to this story.
