Temecula City Councilmember Challenging Abortion Rights, Again

TEMECULA, CA — California voters will be asked in November to decide whether the state Constitution should be amended to expressly include existing rights to reproductive freedom — such as abortion and contraceptive use.

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

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

During Tuesday's regularly scheduled Temecula City Council meeting, the councilmembers will discuss — at Alexander's request — whether the city should consider drafting a resolution opposing Prop. 1.

Reproductive rights are already protected in California. If the initiative is passed by voters during the Nov. 8 General Election, the state's Constitution would be amended to enshrine the rights.

The Napa-based nonprofit Life Legal Defense Foundation issued a press release Wednesday in which Alexander was quoted as saying that she is "thankful for the opportunity to expose the real dangers of Proposition 1 at the next city council meeting."

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, however, 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.

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, it is expected that City Attorney Peter Thorson will comment on whether Alexander has a clear conflict of interest. During the Sept. 27 City Council meeting, he said guidance would need to come from the state's Fair Political Practices Commission.

Alexander's desire to have the city officially weigh in on Prop. 1 is 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. 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.

Tuesday's 6 p.m. City Council meeting takes place in Council Chambers, 41000 Main Street. See the full meeting agenda here.