SALT LAKE CITY — A federal appeals court will hear arguments involving Governor Gary Herbert’s decision to cut off Planned Parenthood of Utah’s funding.
In an order issued Tuesday, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled arguments for March 8 in Denver. Lawyers for the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Planned Parenthood of Utah will have to file briefs throughout February.
The appeals court granted Planned Parenthood’s request for an emergency injunction, blocking the governor from cutting off their funding for STD testing and an after-school sex education program. A federal judge here in Utah ruled against the reproductive rights group, saying the governor had the authority to block federal “pass through” money.
Last year, Governor Herbert ordered the Utah Department of Health to cease providing the funding after videos surfaced that purported to show national Planned Parenthood executives discussing the sale of fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood has denied it, claiming the videos are highly edited and misleading. Planned Parenthood of Utah has alleged the governor’s personal feelings on abortion drove the decision.
