A right to abortion in our state constitution? Really? Since when, and if so, then where? Those are questions people all across Wisconsin are, or should be, asking given the recent lawsuits filed with our state Supreme Court.
In March, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin filed a petition directly to our state supreme court asking them, in their words, “to clarify” whether the Wisconsin constitution includes an inherent, unfettered right to abortion. They are asserting that “self-determination” is part of the inherent liberty right mentioned early on in our constitution, along with “the pursuit of happiness” and, of course, life.
This approach is a bit unique — asking the high court to opine on a constitutional matter that is not coming to them because of a state statute being involved. Planned Parenthood is working preemptively here — and the only reason they are doing so is because they believe this high court as it is currently comprised would give them a favorable ruling.
We know since August 1, when liberal Justice Janet Protaciewicz took her seat on the court, that the court now leans 4 to 3 liberal. Adding to this is that Justice Protaciewicz repeatedly said during her campaign last year that she believed in women’s reproductive rights — a euphemism for abortion.
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