Opinion ID: 1397177
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: constitutional amendment prohibits state funding abortions. exception: prevent mother's death

Text: Petitioner asserts that the provided question is insufficient for the same reasons that petitioner contended the caption was insufficient, i.e., that it speaks to saving the mother rather than preventing her death. The respondent argues that the provided question makes it clear that the exception to the use of state funds is for cases in which the mother's life rather than the mother is to be saved. Respondent's argument in this context that the term to save the mother's life is exactly the same as prevent the death of the mother is more persuasive than that made with respect to the caption, but we conclude that there is some risk that the two terms are susceptible to differing meanings. There seems to be no reason to depart from the words of the proposed measure, and use of the words chosen by the sponsors of the measure will ensure that neither the respondent, the Attorney General nor this court will be held by the sponsors to have twisted their intent. We hold that the question should be: Shall Oregon Constitution be amended to prohibit using state monies to fund abortions except to prevent death of the mother? Petitioner argues that the provided explanation is insufficient because it implies that only direct payment by the state of its funds would be prohibited. The respondent argues there is no such implication. Whether or not the provided explanation so implies, we agree that it is permissible to infer from the explanation that only direct payment is prohibited. Petitioner suggests a substantially different text for the explanation. We conclude that both the text proposed by the Attorney General and that proposed by the petitioner are interpretations of the effect of the measure. In light of the shortness of the text of the measure itself, there is no need to explain the chief purpose of the measure, ORS 250.035(1)(c), in any terms other than those chosen by the sponsors. Pursuant to ORS 250.085(3), we certify the following title to the Secretary of State: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROHIBITS STATE FUNDING ABORTIONS. EXCEPTION: PREVENT MOTHER'S DEATH QUESTION: Shall Oregon Constitution be amended to prohibit using state monies to fund abortions except to prevent death of the mother? EXPLANATION: The measure would amend the Oregon Constitution by adding to Article IX the following new section: `Section 9. State monies must not be used to fund abortions, except to prevent the death of the mother.'