Lawmakers talk about abortion and the coal emissions at VU

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During Saturday’s Meet Your Legislatiors program held at Vincennes University, area lawmakers were questioned about a bill before the Indiana General Assembly that would require women to receive an ultra sound 18 hours ahead of receiving an abortion.

State Senator Mark Messmer of Jasper says its all about saving a human life.

Messmer says they’ve seen a shift in attitude towards abortion not just in Indiana but across the country. He says the number of abortions have declined dramatically. Messmer added that if we can’t defend the most innocent life we have as a soceity and culture what good are we.

The legislation wouldn’t prevent a woman from having an abortion if they wish to do so. The ultra sound would merely provide the mother with more information before reaching a final decision.

 

In another topic of discussion at the forum…the lawmakers were asked for their thoughts on the E-P-A’s clean power plan during Saturday’s Meet Your Legislators program at Vincennes University.

The goal of the plan is to improve air quality and confront climate change by prompting state’s to look at other sources of alternative energy other than coal. .

State Representative Tom Washbourne believes the E-P-A is overstepping their boundaries and defended Governor Pence’s actions not to comply with the Federal plan.

Washbourne says the coal industry gets a bad rap. He says the industry has made significant strides in reducing the amount of pollutants that are discharged into the air.

He also believes that the E-P-A is overstepping its boundaries on decisions that should be left up to states under the 10th amendment of the constitution.