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Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem Cell Research

By Last Night in Little Rock, Section Off Topic
Posted on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 09:46:08 AM EST
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by Last Night in Little Rock

Yesterday, the day after President Bush vetoed the federal stem cell research bill, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered the state finance director to loan up to $150M to "the state's voter approved stem cell research institute, catapulting California into the lead as the nation's top public funder of the divisive research."

The California system is based on a $3B bond issue that is in litigation, but a state trial judge upheld the system in a "strongly worded ruling" that is subject to appeal. Schwarzenegger ordered the loan even though it is possible it might not get repaid.

The governor's action, a day after President Bush vetoed expanded federal support for embryonic stem cell science, is expected to kick-start the state's long-delayed program to pay for cutting-edge research projects.

"We can no longer afford to wait to fund this important research," Schwarzenegger wrote in a letter that directed his finance director to make the loan. "I remain committed to advancing stem cell research in California, in the promise it holds for millions of our citizens who suffer from chronic diseases and injuries that could be helped as a result of stem cell research."

Schwarzenegger's decision, which drew praise from research advocates but was derided as a political stunt by opponents, comes with some financial risk for the state.

In 2004, 59% of voters passed Proposition 71 to authorize $3 billion in bonds to fund stem cell research. But litigation has paralyzed the bond process. A Superior Court judge issued a strongly worded ruling in May in favor of the state, calling the bonds valid. However, the plaintiffs -- taxpayer and religious groups -- have vowed an appeal. If Proposition 71 is deemed unconstitutional, the state loan would not be repaid.

Politics being politics, the LA Times wonders about how this move by Schwarzenegger will influence the Republican moderates in his re-election bid.

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    Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem Cell Research | 11 comments (11 topical)
    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#1)
    by HK on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 10:13:26 AM EST
    This news brought two thoughts to my mind: 1. What a bold and potentially very beneficial step Governor Schwarzenegger has taken. 2. Is it coming up to election time already? Interesting that only 59% of voters passed Proposition 71. Just short of the two thirds Senate failed to reach on the issue of stem cell research recently. Hardly a significant majority.

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 10:51:38 AM EST
    I'll say one thing for AS. He has really spiced up the politics out here. As one of the "intolerant left", I see AS as one of the only members of the Republican Guard with any conscience. He lost some significant battles out here last fall, yet he has not acted out of the usual smear/revenge mode as seen in the WH. Instead he has worked with the legislature (who also deserve some recognition here) on issues such as this one. If San Francisco's universal health coverage project is successful, I think that Schwartzenegger would have the guts to embrace it statewide. IMHO that's why he got elected. People were impatient and tired of the same ole same old. I disagree with AS on things, but I think he is MUCH more intelligent than the president. And yes there is an election coming up.

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#4)
    by Johnny on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 12:41:17 PM EST
    Narius is correct, the US has the resources to develop this technology, already in place. The S. Koreans are rapidly approaching surpassing the US in technological advancements, why? In part because we let activists like GWBush block technological development in the name of "morals".

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#5)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 01:14:10 PM EST
    In part because we let activists like GWBush block technological development in the name of "morals".
    why have science when you have faith;-)

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 06:44:14 PM EST
    I'm guess nobody here realizes that Bush (and NO I'm not a rep. just a thinker) was the only president to fund SSR. When Clinton said NO to it at all, Bush only said NO to the Govt. funding the creation of any new fetuses. Which the congress added to the bill, if they had taken that out there would of been no veto is my guess.

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#8)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 07:56:57 PM EST
    narius, if you'd had faith they wouldn't have needed the transplant;-)

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#9)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 08:05:00 PM EST
    Bush (and NO I'm not a rep. just a thinker) was the only president to fund SSR. When Clinton said NO to it at all
    U.S. government to fund controversial stem cell research
    "We know this is ethically sensitive territory," National Institutes of Health Director Harold Varmus said after announcing the decision to President Clinton's National Bioethics Advisory Commission. But "the prospects of benefit to living human beings ... are dramatic."
    and
    President Bush is considering whether to continue a Clinton administration policy allowing federal funding of stem cell research. Bush was reported last week to be leaning against it, given opposition from some political conservatives, anti-abortion groups and the Roman Catholic Church. Catholics are swing voters.
    Was there anything else?

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#11)
    by Johnny on Sat Jul 22, 2006 at 08:30:02 AM EST
    Too bad I can't have faith unless I see some statistical evidence that it works. I suppose that essentially prevent me from ever gaining any faith.
    Absolutely, proof denies faith. Trumps it everytime. Cannot have faith while seeking proof, just can't happen. Faith healers are little more than murderers, but hey...

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#12)
    by Aaron on Sat Jul 22, 2006 at 10:44:15 AM EST
    Even though I don't agree with Arnold's politics, I appreciate a governor, a public representative, who listens to the people. That is what they're supposed to do isn't it? He obviously enjoys being in power because he's doing everything he can to get reelected. I commend him on his support of science and reason. Two things that are becoming few and far between in George Bush's America. Perhaps we should let Arnie run for president.

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#13)
    by squeaky on Sat Jul 22, 2006 at 11:03:45 AM EST
    Perhaps we should let Arnie run for president.
    No thanks. I would not trust him for a second.

    Re: Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem (none / 0) (#14)
    by Aaron on Sun Jul 23, 2006 at 05:40:32 AM EST
    Squeaky Given that politics these days is all about choosing the lesser of evils, and looking at all the people the Republican Party is seriously considering supporting in 2008, I have to say that Arnold looks pretty good right now. Currently the least objectionable Republican that the party might support, who I once had a modicum of respect for, is John McCain, and he's sold himself to the Bush administration cheaply, flip flopping on almost every issue of importance in order to ingratiate himself to the administration and a party, a party that used the worst kind of smear tactics on him in 2000. When I look at McCain now, I see a shell of a man, bought and paid for by the same corporate interests who own George W. Bush. Arnold is the closest thing they've got to a moderate Republican, at least one whom might actually have a chance of gaining the support of registered Republicans in America. Also I'd love to see conservatives attack him and try to destroy him, which is exactly what the Republican Party would do if he ran for president, much as they did John McCain. No doubt they would disparage him for being an immigrant, make fun of his accent, perhaps even try to connect his family to the Nazis, revealing their prejudice and contempt for all immigrants in the process. I doubt he could get the nomination, but it would be fun to watch the GOP portray him as a liberal.

    Schwarzenegger Orders California to Start Stem Cell Research | 11 comments (11 topical)