Although Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration promised to make California a safe place for all the women seeking abortions, they will not be utilizing taxpayer money to assist women traveling from other states, Fox News informed.
Abortion activists were taken aback by the governor’s decision, which was part of a budget deal state lawmakers made over the weekend, as California prepared for a potential surge in women seeking abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last week.
The operating budget for California allocates $20 million for a “Abortion Practical Support Fund” to cover the costs like travel, hotel, gas, and meals, but only for Californians seeking abortions, not for those traveling from other states.
Private donations will be accepted, but it’s not clear if they will be sufficient to pay for out-of-state travel costs.
Newsom said they are just being realistic of what the state can absorb, and that it is not just the government providing and supporting, but that everyone in the state is contributing, one way or another.
According to Newsom’s office, the governor decided to concentrate on enhancing California’s current abortion services.
The state of California has allocated $40 million in its budget to pay for abortions for the women who cannot afford them, including those who travel to California from other states.
The Abortion Practical Support Fund can accept private donations under the proposed budget.
The state budget will probably be approved by the state legislature on Wednesday, but modifications can still be made later.
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