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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Latest on an Ohio proposal that seeks to strip government funding away from Planned Parenthood (all times local):
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5:50 p.m.
Planned Parenthood says it is targeting Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) in online ads as the Republican presidential contender is expected to sign a bill aimed at diverting taxpayer money away from the organization.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio says its five-figure ad buy will appear on Facebook and online news sites across Ohio. The 30-second video asks why Kasich would want to support the measure.
The bill targets funds Planned Parenthood receives through Ohio's health department. The roughly $1.3 million supports initiatives for HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings and other programs.
The bill would restrict such funds from going to entities that perform or promote abortions.
The ads also come as Kasich finished second in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday behind Donald Trump.
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4:20 p.m.
A Planned Parenthood leader in Ohio says a bill aimed at diverting money away from the organization will "destroy" its community health programs.
Stephanie Kight (KYTE), president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, says the organization is examining its options as the bill was headed Wednesday to Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) for his expected signature.
The measure targets money Planned Parenthood receives through Ohio's health department. The roughly $1.3 million supports initiatives for HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings and other programs. The bill would restrict such funds from going to entities that perform or promote abortions.
Stephanie Ranade (rah-nuh-DAY') Krider (KRY'-der), executive director of Ohio Right to Life, says patients would have multiple provider options for such prevention services.
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2:35 p.m.
An Ohio bill that seeks to divert government money away from Planned Parenthood is headed to Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) for his expected signature.
The GOP-led state House cleared the legislation Wednesday as Kasich, a Republican presidential contender, campaigned for the coming GOP primary in South Carolina. Signing the bill might help Kasich with conservatives who dominate the state's Feb. 20 primary.
Final passage of the Ohio bill comes a day after the New Hampshire primary, where a tough stance against Planned Parenthood might have been received with less enthusiasm by its many moderate Republican voters.
Earlier Wednesday, Planned Parenthood supporters delivered handwritten valentines to state lawmakers in an effort to urge representatives to oppose the bill. They also gave condoms and pamphlets about the organization's services.
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2 a.m.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY-sik) is getting a well-timed opportunity to sign a bill stripping government money from Planned Parenthood.
The Ohio House is poised to clear the bill Wednesday, sending it to the Republican presidential contender for his expected signature. Such a move might help Kasich with conservatives who dominate the coming GOP primary in South Carolina.
The bill's expected passage comes a day after the New Hampshire primary, where a tough stance against Planned Parenthood might have been received with less enthusiasm by its many moderate Republican voters.
No one is acknowledging that the 2016 presidential calendar might have played a part in when Kasich would get the bill.
Ohio's House Speaker has said Kasich's bid has no bearing on the issues that come before his chamber.
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