CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the Legislature apparently closing in on the number of signatures needed to call themselves into special session to re-pass a 20-week abortion ban bill, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued a statement Thursday urging legislators not to do so, saying he will veto it again.
“As I stated [in the veto message] on March 28, the language contained in House Bill 4588 is unconstitutional. I encourage legislators not to call themselves into a special session to revisit the same issue,” Tomblin stated.
“Should members of the Legislature take the same action again, I will again veto the bill. As I also said on March 28, I am proud of my pro-life record, and I would be happy to work with members of the Legislature during the 2015 regular session to pass a bill that is constitutional,” he added.
House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, said Thursday he was disappointed but not surprised by the governor’s statement.
Armstead, who in a House floor speech Wednesday urged members to sign a petition to call themselves into special session, said he believes Tomblin is attempting to thwart that effort.
“I’m sure it’s a message to the remaining Democratic members to not sign the petition,” Armstead said…