Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) has decided to decline $161,000 in federal funds for abstinence-only sex education program, in part because new federal guidelines prohibit the funds be used to teach "safe-sex" practices, the Portland Press Herald reports. Maine accepted federal money for abstinence-based education programs annually from 1998 through 2004. However, officials on Monday said that the state did not apply for $165,000 in funds during the current federal fiscal year and it will not seek $161,000 for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Maine Public Health Director Dora Anne Mills said that under newly restricted federal rules, the money has to be used for abstinence-only programs, which would prevent the state from providing "comprehensive reproductive information," including information for abstinent and sexually active young people. Mills also said that federal guidelines that encourage schools to promote "abstinence until marriage" make it difficult to educate young people who are not heterosexual. She noted that the federal money is not necessary because Maine's teen pregnancy and abortion rates have decreased significantly. Maine is the third state in the country after Pennsylvania and California to refuse federal money for abstinence-only education.

Reaction
Maine's decision to refuse the federal funding drew reactions from groups on both sides of the issue. "It's definitely an anomaly" that will have little effect outside of Maine, Robert Rector -- a senior research fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Heritage Foundation, which supports abstinence education -- said, adding, "I think abstinence is basically gaining ground all the time." Mary Schiavoni of Heritage of Maine -- a private organization that has a federal grant to promote abstinence education in schools and is not affiliated with the Heritage Foundation -- said that the state government should use the federal guidelines because they are designed to help young people form "lasting, enriching and successful relationships" and protect them from sexually transmitted diseases (Carrier, Portland Press Herald, 9/20). William Smith, vice president for public policy at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, said, "Maine understands that there is no need for the extremism that pits abstinence against other issues such as teaching about condoms and other forms of contraception." Nicole Clegg, director of public affairs for the Family Planning Association of Maine, said, "The refusal of these funds sends a clear message that Maine values and respects its youth" (SIECUS release, 9/20).