Ahead of second Trump term, California vows ‘ironclad’ abortion access
LA TimesGavin Newsom, left, talks with state Atty. At a news conference, Bonta said new proposed bills will make reproductive rights in California “ironclad.” California lawmakers are rushing to introduce legislation that reaffirms the state’s role as a reproductive rights “haven” as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House and abortion rights advocates warn of an uncertain future. “It’s kind of become his M.O., to make a big splash and then nothing really ever comes of it.” Democrats, however, see the need to shore up abortion access given the uncertainty of Trump’s plans. The California legislation “was designed to serve as a swift stop gap measure to preserve continued access to abortion care, if necessary, during this very precarious moment,” California Department of Consumer Affairs spokesperson Monica Vargas said in an email when The Times asked for data about the program’s use. “And inevitably, it is going to be the case that not all solutions we put forth will be equally effective.” Other bills introduced this week seeking to fill California’s reproductive health access gaps include a proposal to financially penalize cities and counties that block the building of abortion clinics, as has happened in Beverly Hills and Fontana.