VA Gov., DNC Chair Kaine to Ban State Stem Cell Research?

[kpete]

VA Gov., DNC Chair Kaine to Ban State Stem Cell Research?
By: Gregg Levine Monday March 30, 2009 7:50 am


Governor Tim Kaine is reported set to sign into Virginia law a bill that will ban funding for research on human stem cells.

What is Right for Virginia (h/t Not Larry Sabato) gives us this:

"It seems like we finally have some brains in Washington, and while the Federal government takes a step forward, the state takes a step back", said Mr. Robb. "I just don't understand why they (Gov. Kaine and the General Assembly) are being so short sighted, embryonic stem cell research is a quality of life issue."

Robb is referring to the following articles and paragraphs contained in SB1338ER;
http://southeastvirginia.blogspot.com/2009/03/embryonic-stem-cell-research-its.html
http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2009/03/stunning-error.html

3. That no award from the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund may be provided if the otherwise qualified business performs research in Virginia on human cells or tissue derived from induced abortions or from stem cells obtained from human embryos, nor shall any award from the Fund be used for such research. The foregoing provision shall not apply to research conducted using stem cells other than embryonic stem cells.

4. That no investment shall be qualified pursuant to § 58.1-339.4 of the Code of Virginia if the otherwise qualified business performs research in Virginia on human cells or tissue derived from induced abortions or from stem cells obtained from human embryos. The foregoing provision shall not apply to research conducted using stem cells other than embryonic stem cells.

We have a short time to make Tim Kaine realize his stance is wrong, and he needs to line item veto Article G paragraphs 3 and 4 in this legislation. Please, call the Governors office at Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] and make your voice heard!

more at:
http://firedoglake.com/2009/03/30/va-gov-dnc-chair-kaine-to-ban-state-stem-cell-research/

[Tim01]

1. WHAT THE CRAP!!??

He attacks gun rights one day, and stem cell research the next.
Who's fucking side is he on??

[Seen the light]

3. I sometimes wonder if Steele and Kaine got their parties confused lol nt

[LynneSin]

5. Steele compared Stem Cell Research to the Holocaust

Trust me, the guy is NOT pro-choice and I wish people would stop saying that.

Oh, and Steele made that comment in a room full of Jewish leaders.

I'm not keen on Kaine but I'll take him over Steele

[smoogatz]

2. Good. More federal research money for Wisconsin, then. n/t

[onenote]

10. except that this has nothing to do with federal research money

Its a restriction on state funding for embryonic stem cell research. And, unfortunately, it was is part of a larger bill that passed by a veto proof margin by the state legislature (unanimously in the House of Delegates and by a 38-2 margin in the state senate). Its wrong to say its a ban on stem cell research.

[terisan]

4. Kaine-Just Named Head of DNC. Is Left Being Purged from Democratic Party over the

next 3.5 years?

--or will the party just become the Very Big Tent party ?

[onenote]

6. not a ban on stem cell research -- its a restriction on state funding

Doesn't ban the research or limit federally funded research; rather it restricts state funding for embryonic stem cellr research.

Its a crappy, backwards looking amendment, but its not as dire as a ban. A little history: the state house of delegates adopted amendments to the bill with these restrictions. The state senate rejected similar amendments. The bill went to conference and the amendments in the form described were accepted by the conferees. The conference bill passed the House unanimously and the Senate by a 38-2 margin -- in other words, its veto-proof.

While I wish that it hadn't been added to the law, vetoing a bill supported by all but 2 of the Democrats in the state House and Senate would be a silly move by Kaine.

[madfloridian]

7. No more excuses for right wing Democrats.

I guess Kaine is just a little bit against civil unions for gays. Just a little bit against abortion and women's rights.

Just a little bit.

No more.

[onenote]

9. sorry, but accuracy matters

Its not correct to say Kaine is banning stem cell research. First, its not his proposal and second it doesn't ban stem cell research in Virginia. The bill that contains these amendments was passed by a veto proof margin after the Senate Democrats accepted the amendments.

And if every elected Democrat in the state House and Senate decided to support the bill with these amendments, does that mean that every Democrat save 2 in the Virginia House and Senate is a "right wing" Democrat.

[madfloridian]

12. He is still anti civil unions and anti women's choice.

And his stem cell research stance has been colored by fear of the right wing.

[Tim01]

8. Kaine's platform "I'm against everything"

[Solon]

11. This guy is outside the mainstream, why is he DNC chair again? n/t