That proposition is an economic disaster.  Borrow $3 billion
and pay back $6 billion?  Stupid.  Also, the way the
money is spent will be "confidential", and only a small
group of people will be responsible for its use.

I think we're all for stem-cell research, of some form.  After
all, those are the cells that eventually turn into hearts, livers,
brains, and such.  

I think Aaanold is way off base on this one.

My 2 cents...

Ernie

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Baier [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HP3000-L] OT: Schwarzenegger backs stem cell plan


Schwarzenegger backs stem cell plan
Governor bucks GOP to endorse bond to fund research

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's stem-cell proposal puts him at odds with
the White House.

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has
endorsed a $3 billion bond measure that would fund human embryonic stem
cell research, a move that bucks Republican leaders and threatens to
further strain the state's budget.

"California has always been a pioneer," Schwarzenegger said Monday. "We
daringly led the way for the high-tech industry and now voters can help
ensure we lead the way for the biotech industry."

The endorsement of the stem cell research measure comes at some
political risk for the governor, who campaigned against California going
deeper into debt when he unseated Gray Davis as governor in last year's
recall election.

The endorsement also will put Schwarzenegger at odds with the state
Republican Party, which officially opposes Proposition 71, and perhaps
the Bush administration, which has limited federal funding of the
research.

"It's a surprise given the economic challenges facing the state," said
Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College who is
voting against the measure.

"Social conservatives might be unhappy, too, but he was never their
favorite anyway."

Schwarzenegger has said he supports stem cell research.

His father-in-law, Sargent Shriver, is in the early grips of Alzheimer's
disease, which supporters of the measure say could someday be treated
with stem cells.

If the measure is passed, it would provide California researchers with
nearly $300 million annually for 10 years but cost a total of $6 billion
to pay back.

The proposition also would fund cloning projects intended solely for
medical research.

Schwarzenegger's endorsement Monday of a separate ballot proposal to
dump political party primaries also marks a break with California's GOP.

Under the proposal, the two top primary finishers would advance to a
general-election runoff, regardless of party affiliation.

It would not alter presidential elections.

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