AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - More than 300 members of the clergy are calling on the Texas Legislature to boost funding for women's health programs.
Leaders of Methodist, Buddhist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Baptist and Unitarian congregations lobbied lawmakers on Tuesday asking for more spending on birth control programs. They said poor women in particular need government-funded contraception.
Speakers at a press conference said that too often people use religion to oppose allowing women to control their reproductive systems.
Pastor Larry Bethune of the University Baptist Church in Austin said the faithful want women to be healthy and to make healthy choices.
The Legislature cut funding for women's health programs in 2011. Republican lawmakers are talking about restoring some of that funding, but routing it through primary care doctors rather than dedicated women's health clinics.
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Posted: 06/17/2013 - ARDMORE, Okla. —The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation announced the 2013-2014 recipients of the Sam Noble Scholarships this week, awarding $140,000 in scholarships to 10 southern Oklahoma students.
Posted: 06/13/2013 - DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University has scheduled Camp SE for June 23-24, July 21-22 and July 28-29 on campus.
Updated: 06/10/2013 - (LEONARD,TEXAS) -- Leonard residents are worried that piles of tires sitting at a vacant service shop are attracting mosquitoes and endagering their health
