 Stem Cell Debate Focuses on States Thursday, March 19, 2009PERMALINK: http://www.progressivestates.org/node/22866 [4]
Stem Cell Debate Focuses on States Opponents of stem cell research are shifting their focus to state houses after President Obama lifted [13] Bush administration restrictions on federal financing for human embryonic stem cell research. The Georgia Senate recently passed a ban [14] on therapeutic cloning and the creation of embryos for any purpose other than procreation. The Mississippi House passed a bill to prohibit the University of Mississippi from using state funds "for research that kills or destroys an existing human embryo." And, as the New York Times reports [15], some states are considering bills that would define an embryo as a person. Regarding the shift to states, a senior fellow for the conservative Family Research Council said to the Times, "I don't know that we'll have a very big voice" on the federal level. "The states tend to be a little more fluid." President Obama's action will allow federal financing of research on existing and yet-to-be created stem cell lines, so long as federal money is not used in the creation or destruction of human embryonic stem cells. As the New York Times reports [16], since 1996 Congress's Dickey-Wicker amendment has banned the use of federal tax dollars to create human embryos or for research in which embryos are destroyed, discarded or knowingly subjected to risk of injury. The Bush Administration policy had allowed tax dollars for research on a small number of already-created stem cell lines. President Obama's rule will greatly expand the availability of taxpayer supported stem cell research. Researchers have relied on private and state sources of funds to create new stem cell lines. Whether or not Congress overturns the Dickey-Wicker ban is uncertain, but it will likely generate a heated debate [16]. Some states are considering outright bans on embryonic stem cell research, such as Oklahoma where the House passed a bill that would make the research illegal, as Reuters reports [17]. A Texas bill would ban the use of state funds for stem cell research, and Arizona and Louisiana have laws severely limiting stem cell research. The Georgia bill, which is less restrictive than some of these other state bans, is still problematic to many in the business, research, and health communities. According to the Times [18], Georgia has worked in recent years to develop a fertile biotechnology business environment and a trade group sees Senate passage as a barrier to efforts to recruit out of state businesses. Researchers, patient groups and policymakers support the research because many believe stem cell research holds the key to treating Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries, and other chronic illnesses.
Promoting Municipal Financing for Solar Power Investments |
Research Roundup
The Housing Crash Recession and the Case for a Third Stimulus [24] - To counter spiraling unemployment and the turmoil in the housing and stock markets, the CPER paper suggests an additional stimulus package, advocates for housing policy based on targeted stabilization of house prices in non-bubble and deflated markets, and the necessary correction of the dollar.
Americans at Risk: One in Three Uninsured [25] - Families USA highlights the growing epidemic of uninsurance in America, with one out of three [26] people under age 65 going without health insurance for some or all of 2007-2008 - a staggering 86.7 million Americans. The report includes individual state reports [27] and Families is planning a series of public releases in states across the country.
The Economics of Immigration Reform [28] — This IPC Fact Check highlights that moving undocumented immigrants out of the underground economy through legalization would increase tax revenue and also raise American workers' wages and working conditions by putting all workers on equal footing, and eliminating unscrupulous employers' ability to unfairly compete and undermine workers' wages.
Report on Election Auditing [29] - A comprehensive report on best practices for election audits has been released by the League of Women Voters.
Lessons Learned From the 2008 Elections [30] - Common Cause presented testimony cataloging the most serious problems encountered in the 2008 elections and how to respond to the challenges that voters and election administrators faced.
Please email us [31] leads on good research at research@progressivestates.org [31]
Resources
Stem Cell Debate Focuses on States
Office of the Presidency - Executive Order: Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells [13]
Progressive States Network - Economic Strategies for Innovation and Job Growth
[32]Center for American Progress - A Life Sciences Crucible: Stem Cell Research and Innovation Done Responsibly and Ethically [33]
Promoting Municipal Financing for Solar Power Investments
New York Times- Harnessing the Sun, With Help From Cities [22]
Merrian C. Fuller, Stephen Compagni Portis, and Daniel M. Kammen- Toward a Low-Carbon Economy: Municipal Financing for Energy Efficiency and Solar Power [20]
Myers Reece, Renewed Energy in Push for Solar Power [34]
3 Steps Forward
1. NM: Death Penalty Repealed [35]
2. IA: Iowa Senate votes to help people facing foreclosure [36]
3. US: To save money on prisons, states take a softer stance [37]
2 Steps Back
1. US: Report raises doubts state lawmakers can bypass governors [38]
2. FL: Thousands of students could be shut out of Florida's community colleges [39]
Masthead
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Caroline Fan [41], Immigration and Workers' Rights Policy Specialist
Julie Schwartz [42], Broadband and Economic Development Policy Specialist
Christian Smith-Socaris [43], Election Reform Policy Specialist
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