MADISON, Wis. – Republicans in the state Legislature are considering a referendum for voters to decide whether to keep government in the abortion control business. Robin Vos, the powerful Wisconsin House leader, confirmed GOP discussions about a referendum in a WKOW interview. Such a GOP initiative seems contrary to current political indicators, including polls and elections elsewhere, to make abortion a matter of a woman’s conscience — not government control. In Wisconsin a Dane judge ruled two weeks ago ruled that Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban did not apply to consensual medical abortions anymore. The decision upset Republicans, who in general favor abortion bans and restrictions. Further to GOP dismay, Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, has promised to veto any abortion legislation. In the WKOW interview Vos said the referendum would allow government to ban late-pregnancy abortions but not all. Such a referendum, if passed by a majority of voters, would be veto-proof. The referendum, Vos said, could be on the April 2004 Wisconsin ballot. The referendum could be a high-risk move for GOP abortion opponents. A loss could be an impossible setback for their cause, say political observers.
