Planned Parenthood sues Utah, judge grants restraining order against governor

ST. GEORGE — After Gov. Gary Herbert ordered state agencies to cut off federal funding to Planned Parenthood of Utah in August following the release of secretly recorded videos by anti-abortion activists, attorneys for the organization sued the governor Monday and were granted a request for a temporary restraining order Tuesday, halting the state from defunding Planned Parenthood.

Herbert issued an order blocking Planned Parenthood from receiving federal money for STD education and prevention programs through the state health department on Aug. 14. Funding for some of the programs was set to be pulled Wednesday.

Planned Parenthood of Utah said Herbert’s action violated the organization’s constitutional rights and was based on unfounded allegations, according to federal court documents.

U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups overruled Herbert’s directive, blocking the state from refusing to hand over federal funds, and issued the temporary restraining order against Herbert and the State of Utah during an abruptly scheduled hearing Tuesday.

Waddoups’ ruling allows Planned Parenthood to receive federal dollars through the Utah Department of Health for at least two weeks while the organization seeks a longer-term injunction that would put the governor’s order on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuit the organization filed against the state.

The governor’s order came in reaction to a series of controversial videos released by a California anti-abortion group allegedly showing national Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal tissue for scientific research.

Aimee Edwards, spokesperson for Herbert, said the governor stands by his actions and looks forward to responding to Planned Parenthood’s claims in court.

“Today’s procedural action does not deter Gov. Herbert’s resolve to carry out his directive,” Edwards said in a statement issued Tuesday.

In a statement issued Monday, Edwards said the governor was “offended by the actions of Planned Parenthood and the callousness with which they discussed human life.”

Planned Parenthood Association of Utah CEO Karrie Galloway issued the following statement late Tuesday afternoon, applauding the issuance of the temporary restraining order:

Governor Gary Herbert has been enjoined by Judge Clark Waddoups of the United States District Court for the District of Utah from halting federal funds to Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. This temporary restraining order against the governor is a major victory for the people of Utah who rely on the affordable reproductive health care and education services that Planned Parenthood provides.

The federal pass-through funds we receive to carry out these essential programs will stay in place, untouched until October 15th, when Judge Waddoups has a chance to consider the full merits of the case. The grant of the temporary restraining order is a positive sign that the lawsuit we filed has merit.

We are overjoyed about this positive step to protect the constitutional rights of Utahns. We will continue to stand up and fight back to continue to provide safe, affordable, high-quality reproductive health care and education services — no matter what.

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15 Comments

  • fun bag September 29, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    UH OH! AFTER WE GOT ALL THE GUNS HID AWAY REAL GOOD WE GONNA NEED TO HIDE AWAY ALL THE BABIES SO THE BIG BAD WOOF (OBAMA) DON’T COME SNATCH ‘EM ALL UP AND EAT ‘EM! …HIDE THEM GUNS!!

  • munchie September 29, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    I see our Governor is a proponent for due process. Eliminate funding based on a heavily edited video made by an extremist anti-abortion group? How about getting all the facts before acting like an irrational clown, Governor?

    • Rainbow Dash September 29, 2015 at 9:58 pm

      Facts? Republicans haven’t been factual since the majority of American voters started holding them accountable for their actions in 2008. On the national stage, the only two republican Candidates to tell the truth about their parties views are Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

      • Lastdays September 30, 2015 at 8:17 am

        So I guess what you are really saying is that only two Repubs and “ALL” of the Progressive Liberal Democratic Party are truthful ? Hhhmmm, that’s an interesting perspective.
        Also, remember that since the Roe vs. Wade SCOTUS decision in 1973 at least 55 million babies have been murdered in the US. Compare that with Hitlers exterminating 6 million Jews. Who’s the bad guys now?
        And you must take into account the actions of this group to “Harvest” baby parts to sell for research and other activities.
        I believe this issue has gone way past just a choice. I think the bigger question is WHY ? Has our society become cold blooded killers in the name of court victories ? Just think, 55 million kids could have had a chance to grow up, learn stuff, develop political opinions, be internet proficient and write comments on places like this. Look what they missed out on.

        • fun bag September 30, 2015 at 12:30 pm

          “since the Roe vs. Wade SCOTUS decision in 1973 at least 55 million babies have been murdered in the US.”

          source pls? and u know them there fetuses didn’t just up and abort they selves. I guess each one of the many women was just another lil ol’ hitler, eh? no one is forcing anyone to abort HER fetus…

          • GrandmaB September 30, 2015 at 1:45 pm

            Don’t whine about being denied your religious freedom. You are only going to be denied your ability to affect the political world around you. Worship how ever you like. Believe what ever you want (an old man can have 33 wives, as young as 14). We don’t care. We just won’t let you destroy us or this planet.

        • GrandmaB September 30, 2015 at 1:28 pm

          Well, LASTDAY, that may be what you chose to read into the statement. And no, 55 million babies have not been murdered. There may have been 55 million abortions of fetuses, but they are NOT babies. They are a part of the mothers body. A part SHE CHOSES whether or not she will carry within her body, until it is ready to be born, into the human race. The REAL QUESTION HERE IS “WHY.’ Why has it become so important for a few radical religionists to force their religion on other people? Why? You don’t want to feed and cloth those babies. You don’t want to educate them. After they are born, you don’t even want to hear about them. Left up to you, they would have been classified as lazy, good for nothings, who just want to feed at the government teat. Your hypocrisy is palpable.

          It must be so disappointing to you that the “last days” have not come to pass. I am sure there are plenty of fundamentalists, such as yourself, who will do their level best to bring about a SELF FULLFILLING PROPHECY, destroy billions of people, then stand around and pat ourselves on the back and say “see how evil they all were.” And, if you do survive, you will spend the rest of your lives being to freaking stupid to realize it is all your fault. The world cannot afford idiots like you any longer. You are too dangerous. We need to do something to shut you up, and make sure you have no political power. If we don’t. Then, your apocalypse will be on us. We will be responsible for not stopping you.

          • fun bag September 30, 2015 at 4:39 pm

            lol i guess someone called Lastdays would have to be a religious lunatic. LOL’d… praise jesus amen

          • .... October 2, 2015 at 9:26 pm

            It’s amazing how you can take up all that space. and fill it with nothing but absolute dribble. go bake some cookies and be quiet

  • ladybugavenger September 29, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    I think I’ll sue planned parenthood for calling themselves planned parenthood. It’s Unplanned Parenthood….people that plan pregnancies don’t abort mission.

    • GrandmaB September 30, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      That, Ladybugavenger, is why they call it planned. Birth control, sex education and support are what allow women who do not have the insurance for health care through the altruistic medical professionals in this country. Planned Parenthood is what affords them the opportunity to plan their families.

      Of course, those of you who are elitists, and don’t believe that the people who are less fortunate than you should have the same opportunities, should have the same options, would be so crass as to make such an unbelievably stupid comment. Get rid of Planned Parenthood, and I guarantee you abortions will sky rocket. Because idiots like you will not allow average women to get the preventative care then need. Including women who just enjoy sex for the sake of sex. But then, you wouldn’t know about that would you.

      Those of you who chose to believe in fantasy, un-provable doctrine, and who want to force your religion on those who do not believe, have no concept of the damage you do!

      Of course, all those blood sucking kids that are out there and need help, can just be the responsibility of the women that had them. Why should you have to pay for other peoples mistakes? You don’t want to help feed them or clothe them or educate them.

      But you would force women to have them.

      • ladybugavenger September 30, 2015 at 5:36 pm

        I suppose if you aborted your children or your children aborted their children you wouldn’t be grandmab. I suppose if I would have aborted my kids I could have lived a selfish and money fulfilled life, but I got pregnant, oooooops, and abortion never crossed my mind and it wasn’t easy raising kids, being broke with no child support. I suppose I could have avoided all that pain with abortion. Is that the answer? Abort so you don’t suffer? Whatever floats your boat grandmab.

    • ladybugavenger September 30, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      GrandmaB that’s not nice to call me an idiot. You can say that what I say is idiotic. But too call me an idiot that’s just not nice for a grandmab.you have no idea what I’ve been through however baby your baby, wic and other programs are available also. GrandmaB calls me an idiot because I believe abortion is murder. It’s a sad world.

  • .... September 30, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    One issue and 50 people in room. equals 50 different opinions.

  • NotSoFast October 2, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    I wonder how this conversation would go if Sharia Law was the yard stick?
    What yard stick would you use? Well? make up your mind.
    I think in our society, life and freedom to choose is fundamental. In my opinion–
    a baby in the belly should have a say too. You don’t see other(of earths Animals) standing in line turning in their unborn to Unplanned Parenthood mills.

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