ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A decision by Gov. George Allen to restrict insurance-covered abortions for state employees has come under criticism from some lawmakers.
``This is an attack on all female employees of this commonwealth, and particularly those who have already been the victims of tragic situations including rape and incest,'' Del. Linda ``Toddy'' Puller, D-Mount Vernon, said Wednesday.
Even Sen. John Chichester, the Republican co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a proponent of such abortion restrictions as parental notification, said the change was unnecessary because of the small number of abortions involved.
``I don't think my philosophical bent is any different than those who propose it, but I don't see any pressing need to do it,'' Chichester said.
But Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, a Democrat, said tax money shouldn't be used to fund abortions under normal circumstances.
``I think abortion should be safe, legal and rare, and, in most circumstances, should be paid for by the individual or family,'' Beyer said.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB