ARTICLES

Help Pass Prop 85

What Others Are Doing and What You Can Do

As of August 1, the Field Poll showed the yes and no sides of Proposition 85 at a statistical tie (45 to 46 percent).

Proposition 85, the Parents' Right to Know and Child Protection initiative, if approved by California voters on November 7, will require a doctor to notify at least one parent of an under-18-year-old girl before performing an abortion on the girl.

Proposition 85 campaign leaders cite several factors for optimism in the upcoming race:

1. The nature of this year's electorate. In November 2005, Proposition 73, the Parents' Right to Know measure, though it lost 53-47 percent, led the pack of eight initiatives in last year's special election, most of which lost by large margins.

This time the anti-Schwarzenegger sentiment -- which seemed to sink all ballot measures last year -- has shifted. The governor leads his opponent, Philip Angelides, by comfortable margins.

2. A motivated base. Twice as many volunteer signatures were gathered this spring -- at churches and through the mail -- and this in a time span of three months instead of five months. The Proposition 73 campaign woke a base of support that seemed to be asleep. Donations and requests for material are running far ahead of 2005.

3. Help from the official Church. Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles met with Yes on 85 leaders in early June and pledged several key specific means of help. The cardinal, who has over 4 million Catholics under his charge, released a statement in early August: "it is a sensible policy to encourage a minor girl faced with a serious decision like an unexpected pregnancy to go to her parents for their love, their wisdom, and their counsel."

In the June meeting Cardinal Mahony pledged to insert Proposition 85 flyers in parish bulletins in all L.A. archdiocese churches during the Sundays in October. The Cardinal agreed to ask L.A. parishes to play the Lopez and Secret Tapes audio spots (available at www.YESon85.net) in English and Spanish at the end of Masses, and to make an audio tape himself in Spanish and English introducing these spots at the end of Masses. The Cardinal reassured Prop 85 leaders that he would do what he could with Hispanic bishops and priests and Spanish-language media so that Hispanic Catholics in L.A. would be made aware of Prop 85.

But, Proposition 85 leaders caution, the battle this fall will not be easy. Planned Parenthood and its allies raised more than $5 million for last year's campaign and are expected to pour in even more this year.

Those who can help are urged to:

1. Hold a fundraiser at your church or in your neighborhood. The Yes on 85 campaign is a lean operation but hopes to mount a major effort in major media; donations are crucial for this.

2. Help distribute flyers, bumper stickers, and other material. All materials are available from the website, www.YESon85.net, or by e-mailing Janet@YESon85.net or by phoning toll-free 866-828-8355.

3. Writing letters to newspaper editors or calling talk shows in support of Proposition 85. Background material available on the web site, via e-mail or by calling us.

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