MT governor signs bills protecting taxpayer dollars, religious liberty

Thursday, May 13, 2021

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signing Thursday of HB 620, a bill sponsored by Rep. Amy Regier ensuring that taxpayer dollars funding Title X family planning programs are kept separate from abortion-related activities:

“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to subsidize the dangerous work of abortionists. HB 620 helps ensure that Montana women and families maintain access to quality, comprehensive healthcare, including family planning services. It does so by prioritizing funding to primary and preventive healthcare providers and ensuring that Title X family planning funding and other healthcare funding streams are kept ‘separate and distinct from abortion-related activities.’ We commend Gov. Gianforte and the Montana Legislature for prioritizing the health of women and their children and for protecting its citizens from being forced to indirectly subsidize abortion businesses.”

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen regarding Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signing Thursday of HB 230, a bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Regier, with language introduced by Sen. David Howard, ensuring that the state does not discriminate against churches and other religious organizations and allows them to remain open during a state of emergency on the same or better terms as other businesses and services:

“Houses of worship and religious organizations provide soul-sustaining operations that are essential to our society and protected by the First Amendment. While public officials have the authority and responsibility to protect public health and safety, the First Amendment prohibits the government from treating houses of worship and religious organizations worse than shopping centers, restaurants, or gyms. HB 230 makes it clear that officials cannot discriminate against religious operations, including during a public crisis. We commend Gov. Gianforte and the Montana Legislature for taking this significant step in defending religious liberty for Montanans.”

• Pronunciation guide: Chafuen (CHAFF’-wen)

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.