What California's proposed constitutional right to abortion is really about

San Francisco Chronicle / SFGate.com ^ | May 3, 2022 | Eric Ting , SFGATE

[thecodont]

In response to a leaked draft opinion showing that the United States Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and top legislative leaders announced plans to add a constitutional amendment enshrining a right to abortion.

"California is proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state," the leaders said in a statement late Monday night. "We know we can’t trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here.”

Generally speaking, there is widespread access to abortion in California, and the loss of Roe would not change that (Roe limits the ability of policymakers seeking to restrict the procedure, and does not impact the operations of pro-choice states). As a result, a statewide constitutional right to abortion would likely be limited to the following two practical purposes: 1. A failsafe in case future leaders of California decide to restrict abortion access (it's highly unlikely Republicans win enough power at the state level to do that in a deep-blue state) 2. A way to stop conservative California localities from implementing anti-abortion policy (municipal abortion bans are on the rise across the country).

[...]

Instead, Newsom and top Democrats in the Legislature announced plans to introduce a constitutional amendment.... If California's leaders can introduce vague plans to introduce a constitutional amendment, they can introduce vague plans to become an abortion sanctuary before Roe is overturned and states across the country ban abortion. The Supreme Court's final opinion is expected within the next two months, so the clock is ticking in that regard.

[captain_jonas]

This really shows Newsom has no mandate. If the majority of people in California are pro abortion then why does he need to do anything with the laws? Also you know how many people today were at the pro abortion rally in Los Angeles? Get ready, it was a grand total of...250. Yes, a measly 250 people

[TheDon]

Moloch is pleased with California.

[arthurus]

There is no abortion “right.” There is abortion privilege conferred by the government.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I think a big part of it is provisions that force a hospital, a doctor or a nurse to “participate” in abortions - you are not allowed to opt out if you believe it is wrong to kill innocent humans. The left is big on violating people’s freedom of conscience and forcing you to go along with whatever evil Big Brother commits.

[VinnieCCT]

Maybe with this, all of the crazies will go back to the west coast. (My sympathies to west coast conservatives)