| Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed in Lame-Duck Session; Republicans' Gain in Seats Affects Reproductive and Sexual Health Funding |
| On November 20th, long after the October 1 start of the new fiscal year, the federal government finally passed an appropriations bill that provides money for government programs and services. Most federal agencies have been operating at Fiscal Year 2004 funding levels under a measure known as a "continuing resolution" ... |
| Louisiana Governor's Program on Abstinence (GPA) Continues to Promote Religion |
| In a November 17 letter to the Louisiana Governor's Program on Abstinence (GPA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) identified numerous violations of a 2002 settlement.1 The GPA currently receives over $1.5 million from the federal government's Title V account (the abstinence-only-until-marriage program authorized in conjunction with the Welfare Reform ... |
| Montgomery County Board of Education Passes New Health Education Curriculum |
| In November, Maryland's Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously passed revisions to its health education curriculum which will now include a video that shows students in the 10th grade how to put on a condom. The board also approved a pilot program in selected schools that will address homosexuality. Updates ... |
| Secretary of Education Nominee Supports Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs |
| Margaret Spellings, who is currently serving as an assistant to President Bush for domestic policy, was nominated to take over the cabinet position of Secretary of Education after Rod Paige announced he would be stepping down. Spellings, a supporter of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, has been a key advisor in developing Bush's ... |
| Specter Fights for Position against Far-Right Opposition |
| Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has never been a favorite of the far right. Often referred to as a "RINO" (Republican in Name Only), Specter has traditionally been quite moderate on the social issues that matter most to the right-wing base of his party. On Wednesday, November 3rd, Specter reignited their ... |
| Reproductive Rights Organization Prohibited from Saying |
| Ipas, an international nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and WUNC, the local Chapel Hill public radio station, have become embroiled in a debate about the freedom of speech and the increasing climate of far-right conservativism in this country. The controversy began when the radio station informed Ipas ... |
