Gov. Beverly Perdue's pro-choice promise will soon face its first test.
While speaking to a feminist group at a fundraiser breakfast in Raleigh this morning, Perdue pledged to be strongly pro-choice.
At the same time, she released a list of proposed cuts given to her by different agency officials that includes eliminating the state's fund to help poor women afford abortions.
The move would save about $50,000 a year.
The state abortion fund used to be much larger. But during the 1995 budget session, then state Sen. Perdue, one of the chief budget writers, helped slash it from $1.2 million to $50,000 — a 96 percent reduction.
During the Democratic gubernatorial primary, then-Treasurer Richard Moore criticized Perdue for the cut, even creating a YouTube clip of an uncomfortable interview on the subject, while Perdue defended her record on abortion.
Though NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina remained neutral in the primary, Perdue was endorsed by EMILY's List, which backs pro-choice Democratic women, and received the support of the Central North Carolina chapter of Planned Parenthood in the general election.
Update: Perdue was also endorsed by the N.C. Women's Political Caucus, the state chapter of a bipartisan group that endorses pro-choice women candidates.
Correction: An earlier version may have given the impression that Perdue had taken a stance on the specific cuts. She has not.
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Re: State abortion fund could face final cut
Isaac what happened at the World Trade Towers on 9/11? Have you forgoten already? How sad.