SCRATCH HIM OFF THE VP SHORT LIST:

Funding shift aimed at Planned Parenthood (David Callender, June 9, 2005, The Capital Times)

In a move hailed by abortion rights foes, Republican lawmakers early today approved a measure that would shift state and federal family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood and other groups that support abortion rights.

On a 11-5 vote shortly after midnight, the Joint Finance Committee voted to give preference to local health departments - and not private agencies such as Planned Parenthood - in getting family planning funds that are administered by the state.

Only one Republican - Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills - voted against the measure. All four Democrats on the committee - Reps. Mark Pocan of Madison and Pedro Colon of Milwaukee, and Sens. Russ Decker of Schofield and Lena Taylor of Milwaukee - voted against it.

Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, sponsored the measure, which still must be passed by the full Legislature as part of the new state budget. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, an abortion rights advocate, has not indicated yet whether he would veto the amendment.