Idaho House Clears Anti-Abortion Center Tax Exemption

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A tax break sought by an anti-abortion pregnancy center in Boise cleared the House on a near party-line vote. The measure to benefit Stanton Health Care by giving such clinics a sales tax exemption passed Tuesday on a 58-12 vote. All supporters except one were Republican, with Rep. Carolyn Meline from Pocatello the lone Democratic backer.

Stanton and its founder, anti-abortion activist Brandi Swindell, want the exemption after they had to pay thousands in back sales taxes. Supporters called it good public policy, while foes objected to carving out a tax exemption on the divisive issue of terminating a pregnancy. Last year, Swindell gained attention by staging a live Capitol ultrasound demonstration — in support of an unsuccessful measure to require women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound screening.