Texas does have budget shotfalls, just like many other states, however, the state is taking the approach of cutting expences instead of raising taxes. This is royally pissing off liberals because the two largest portions of the budget are Education (43.3%) and Heath and Human Services (31.6%). However, the federal government only provides 32.4% of budgeted dollars (thats total, not any particular program). To help try to balance out the budget, the state is targeting Medicaid heavily. Part of this was cutting family planning funding from $111 million to $37 million, with the bar to those who provide abortions, the state is able to still provide services (other than abortion) while cutting the budget. It should also be noted that the state heavily cut Medicaid entitlements in general, this may be considered limiting the choice of providers by some, but the limit is actually providers who will no longer accept medicaid patients at the pay the state funds.
Planned Parenthood in this case is the one limiting womens choices, not the state, if Planned Parenthood would drop abortions, they would have the funding (at the reduced rate everyone else is getting). By the Federal Government cutting off all funding for womens health, they are hurting the women of Texas, all in the name of supporting taxpayer funded abortion. The state is trying to balance budgets, many, perhaps most of the state does not support tax monies going for abortion, so if something has to be cut, that is a logical choice to make and again, the only ones limiting womens choices of healthcare providers is the ones who refuse to drop abortion, not the state.
Once again, Texas is at odds with the Federal Government, just like:
Voter ID requirement
Redistricting based upon population instead of guarenteed minority representation
Immigration reform
EPA/Federal restrictions that cost the state jobs
Taxes
Gun rights
Open/concealed carry
Affirmative Action
Workfare vs Welfare,
etc,etc, etc.
