(The Center Square) – While Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization means abortion will become illegal in several states, New York will not be one of them, and state leaders have issued statements after the historic ruling reiterating that.
- By Steve Bittenbender | The Center Square contributor
- June 24th, 2022
- The Roosevelt Island Daily News
“New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free,” Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Our state will always be a safe harbor for those seeking access to abortion care. To anyone who is working to deny abortion access, our message is clear: not here, not now, not ever.”
New York legalized access to abortion in 1970. It also allows people to come from out of state to get one. The law allows for abortions up through 24 weeks of pregnancy. A procedure could still occur after 24 weeks if the woman’s health or pregnancy is at risk.
While Friday’s ruling will not impact New York nearly as much as other states – 13 states have enacted so-called “trigger laws” that would ban abortion once Roe v. Wade was overturned – it still will have an impact since many seeking an abortion will look to go to places where it remains safe and legal.
Last month, after it appeared the nation’s top court would allow states to choose how to handle abortion laws, Hochul set aside $35 million in state funding to protect access. Of that, she called for the State Department of Health to create a $25 million fund for providers to expand their capacities.
The other $10 million will come from the Division of Criminal Justice Services to award funding for providers to bolster safety and security at their centers for patients and staff. Hochul’s May announcement said the division would issue a solicitation for providers to apply for grant funding by the time of the final Supreme Court ruling.
A message to Hochul’s office on Friday regarding the grants was not immediately returned.
Hochul was joined by State Attorney General Letitia James, who lashed out at the decision as a “vicious, dangerous and deliberate attack on our most basic freedoms.” She also echoed the governor’s comments about the future of abortion in New York.
“But make no mistake: We will not go back to the inhumane and restrictive pre-Roe era,” James said. “Regardless of the situation at the national level, New York will always be a safe haven for anyone seeking an abortion. I will work tirelessly to ensure that low-income New Yorkers and people from hostile states have access to the care they need and deserve.”
While many New York leaders decried Friday’s ruling, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, heralded it on Twitter as a decision that “will save COUNTLESS innocent lives.”
She also said more work needs to be done on the abortion front, and as the House GOP Conference chairwoman, she said she would lead the way in that effort.
“House Republicans are committed to fighting to protect the truly voiceless and STOPPING taxpayer dollars from funding on-demand abortions,” she tweeted Friday.
more from the roosevelt island daily news
- MTA Launches Six-Year Signal and Track Overhaul on A and C Subway LinesThe MTA launches a six-year signal and track overhaul on A and C subway lines, bringing CBTC and major infrastructure upgrades to the Fulton and Liberty Avenue corridors through 2032.
- Long Island City Rent Overcharge Lawsuit Seeks $50 Million Against DeveloperA Long Island City rent overcharge lawsuit seeks about $50 million from Rockrose Development, raising questions about billing practices, tenant protections, and legal oversight in NYC’s fast-changing rental market.
- Astoria E-Scooter Rider Dies After Northern Boulevard Crash in Long Island CityA 22-year-old Astoria e-scooter rider died after a Northern Boulevard crash in Long Island City. Details remain under investigation, highlighting micromobility risks on busy city streets.
- Hate Crime Charges Filed After Vandalism at Fresh Meadows Kosher Bagel ShopHate crime charges have been filed after vandalism at a kosher bagel shop in Fresh Meadows, with prosecutors alleging bias-motivated acts. Hearings are set in New York’s legal process.
- Midtown Subway Shooting Leaves 26-Year-Old Dead; Queens Incidents SeparateA shooting inside a Manhattan subway station left a 26-year-old dead. Police investigate the Midtown incident and separate shootings in Queens as commuters seek safety.
Free at the Door, Paid Somewhere Else
The Red Bus is one of Roosevelt Island’s most popular public services, and for good reason. For residents near the subway and Tram, it may be a convenience. For residents at Manhattan Park, the Octagon, Coler and the northern WIRE buildings, it can be the connection that makes the rest of the Island accessible.
1 COMMENTS