Bid To Officially Denounce Abortion Fails Again In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — During an hour of public comments and discussion at Tuesday's Temecula City Council meeting, tensions were strained — again — over the topic of abortion.

Temecula City Councilmember Jessica Alexander wanted her colleagues to support a resolution opposing the statewide ballot initiative known as Proposition 1, despite her previous position that City Council should not weigh in on state measures.

It was the second time in recent weeks that Alexander brought the issue of reproductive rights to the dais.

Under Prop. 1, California voters will decide on Nov. 8 whether the state Constitution should be amended to expressly enshrine existing rights to reproductive freedom — such as abortion and contraceptive use.

With a lack of support from her colleagues, Alexander's request failed Tuesday night. Councilmember James Stewart was not on hand for the discussion; he was not feeling well and had to leave the meeting early.

During a Sept. 27 Temecula City Council meeting, councilmembers voted 4-1 — with Alexander casting the lone nay vote — to nix a resolution that would have made Temecula a "sanctuary city for the unborn." With a separate 5-0 vote minutes later, the council left the door open to bring back a similar proposal. The latter vote required the city to come up with policies that ensure future resolutions — of any kind — meet to-be-determined city requirements before coming to councilmembers. Alexander and Councilmember James Stewart were tasked with coming up with the guidelines for future resolutions.

Alexander serves as director of Birth Choice Centers in Temecula. The agency "offers support for people facing pregnancy, parenting and reproductive health concerns," according to its website. Birth Choice does "not offer, recommend or refer for abortions or abortifacients," but instead is "committed to offering accurate information about abortion procedures and risks," the website reads.

Alexander's desire to have the city officially weigh in on Prop. 1 was at odds with her previous comments from the dais. During the Aug. 9 City Council meeting, councilmembers voted 4-1 to take a stance on Propositions 26 and 27, which deal with online sports betting. Alexander cast the sole dissenting vote on the resolution, saying that Temecula voters should decide for themselves which way to go on statewide initiatives — without city input.

During this week's City Council meeting, Alexander explained her change of heart.

"I'm standing up for life, not gambling," she said.