Pill Bill

ALBANY - The state Senate passed a bill that would let New York women get so-called "morning after" pills without a prescription - sending the controversial issue to Gov. Pataki.The Democratic-controlled Assembly already had approved the emergency contraception measure, but pro-choice advocates had been worried about the bill's fate in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Senate GOP Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer), however, allowed it on the floor, and the bill passed 34-27.

Pataki aides said the governor would study the measure. Given his generally pro-choice record, advocates said they were hopeful he'll sign it.

"This is a triumph of science over politics," said Kelly Conlin of the National Abortion Rights Action League.

The Catholic Conference, led by Edward Cardinal Egan, is vehemently opposed to the legislation, which it noted carries no age restriction for those who want to get the pills."The senators would authorize the use of young girls as guinea pigs," said Dennis Poust, Catholic Conference spokesman. [Source]

Surprisingly the headline for this article was "Abort pill bill heads to gov." Pray for Gov. Pataki that for once he might actually follow his Catholic faith.