FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2023
BOISE, IDAHO – Earlier today, unions representing higher education faculty at the University of Idaho, Boise State University, and Idaho State University filed a federal legal challenge in hopes of blocking enforcement of the “No Public Funds for Abortion Act,” which has been in full force and effect since May 2021. The faculty are represented by ACLU attorneys.
The lawsuit challenges a provision of the “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” that prohibits public colleges and universities from promoting or counseling in favor of abortion.
The “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” was drafted and championed by Idaho Family Policy Center (a pro-family ministry), Alliance Defending Freedom, and legislative sponsors Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) and former Sen. Christy Zito (R-Hammett). It received overwhelming supermajority support in both legislative chambers.
Before the “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” became law, some public colleges and universities distributed abortifacients through student health centers and provided referrals for students seeking chemical or surgical abortions.
A statement from Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center:
With this baseless legal challenge, the ACLU hopes to overturn our law safeguarding taxpayer dollars from being used to promote unlawful abortion services at public colleges and universities.
Their meritless lawsuit won’t be successful. The First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution do not provide carte blanche legal protections for higher education faculty to advocate or engage in criminal behavior on the taxpayer’s dime.
The ‘No Public Funds For Abortion Act’ simply does not infringe on academic speech protected by the First Amendment, including classroom discussion on the topics related to abortion.
Media Contact:
For questions or to schedule an interview with Blaine Conzatti, please contact Christi Warhurst at (208) 260-5844 or [email protected].
