Planned Parenthood appeals Utah court ruling

The Utah chapter of Planned Parenthood is appealing a federal judge’s ruling allowing the state’s Republican governor to cut off federal funds to the organization.

The Planned Parenthood Association of Utah filed a notice Sunday night asking the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to block Gov. Gary Herbert’s order cutting off the funds.

Last week, a federal judge in Utah declined to temporarily stop Herbert’s defunding order while Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against Utah continues.

Planned Parenthood sued Utah in October after Herbert decided to end contracts for sex education and sexually transmitted disease testing programs.

His move followed the release of secretly recorded videos by an anti-abortion group showing Planned Parenthood officials in other states discussing fetal tissue from abortions.

Messages seeking comment Monday from Herbert and the Utah attorney general’s office were not immediately returned.