Capitol staffers experienced some unique lobbying today: Valentine’s condoms courtesy of Planned Parenthood. In recent years I had heard Planned Parenthood takes the opportunity of Valentine’s Day to distribute condoms to capitol offices. But this year’s valentine didn’t just wish its recipients affection and love on February 14th, it also lobbied for continued funding. The packet pictured below contained several information sheets touting Planned Parenthood’s accomplishments, including just how much money it saves the state every year by preventing unintended pregnancies ($1.35 billions).
Using the tag line “a health budget = a healthy California,” the valentine implores lawmakers, “don’t break our hearts,” which one assumes means by cutting their piece of the budget pie.
And just in case legislators were concerned about having to answer to their spouses about listing condoms as a "gift," Planned Parenthood made sure the valentine was under the reporting limit:
Happy Valentine’s Day!