There was an interesting exchange in the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight committee this afternoon. Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon, who chairs the committee, noted with some disdain that the Missouri Budget Project was used as a source for some information in the fiscal note for HB1831, the abortion bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis.

The bill would create the new crime of coercing an abortion. It’s a priority of the various pro-life groups that roam the Capitol. It was in Goodman’s committee because part of the law requires the Department of Health to create materials to educate women who might seek an abortion, thus there is a cost associated with the bill.

“Why in the world are we referring to something that came from the Missouri Budget Project in one of our fiscal notes,” asked Goodman. “That’s ridiculous.” The Missouri Budget Project is seen by many Republicans as a pro-Democrat group. It has been vocal in opposing the Medicaid cuts of 2005. (The Missouri Budget Project has also been testifying in favor of Gov. Matt Blunt’s Insure Missouri bill this year).

The note in question, was a reference to the number of women in Missouri over the age of 18 living in poverty. The figure was used to calculate the overall costs of the bill.

Missouri Budget Project’s executive director, Amy Blouin, happened to be in the committee room when Goodman made his comment. Her answer to the question?

“Because we’re really smart.”