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Gov. uses power to fund stem cell research
By Ryan Keith
Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday again used his executive power to spend millions on stem cell research despite repeated objections from state legislators, some of whom thought they had blocked such funding.

The governor announced he is devoting $5 million to the research, using money put in the state budget to pay administrative expenses at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Blagojevich aides acknowledged the move was a response to President Bush’s veto Wednesday of legislation that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

A year ago, Blagojevich used an executive order to spend $10 million for stem cell research, a move that caught many state lawmakers off guard. They already had voted against endorsing the research, and Blagojevich never had said anything about his plan to fund research.

This spring, Blagojevich proposed giving $100 million to stem cell research over five years, but the idea had little support and was dropped.

Blagojevich says he won’t let a lack of legislative support keep him from spending tax money on what he considers a vital need.

“It would be wrong to ask sick and injured people and their loved ones to wait for the tides in Springfield and Washington to change before research into potentially lifesaving cures can move forward,’’ the Democratic governor said in a statement. “Investing in research that can save lives and prevent serious illnesses is more than a sound public health strategy, it’s our moral obligation.’’

The announcement drew an immediate backlash from legislators of both political parties.

“Any time this happens, it’s not good for the process when you circumvent the legislative body and the voice of the people,’’ said Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion.

Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said Blagojevich is “showing his disdain for the people of Illinois.’’

Stem cell research has become a hot issue across the country as it divides people along ideological, rather than political, boundaries.

Supporters and scientists say the study of stem cells, which can divide and become any kind of cell in the body, could lead to cures for diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Opponents of embryonic stem cell research believe it is immoral because it destroys an embryo, which they consider human life.

Some lawmakers said they thought they had squashed the possibility of Blagojevich supporting stem cell research when they approved the budget in early May.

Blagojevich had set aside last year’s $10 million for stem cell grants in a lump sum tucked in the Department of Public Health’s budget. Some legislators said they scoured this year’s budget for similar sums and urged the administration not to hide anything.

“We thought we had an understanding that there would be no stem cell money within this budget,’’ said Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat and top budget negotiator. “We didn’t want the stem cell research issue to become part of the budget debate.’’

Blagojevich aides insisted Thursday they did not intend to use the money when the budget was approved but felt there was no choice after Bush’s veto.

“The governor feels strongly about stem cell research. He believes it needs to move forward, and he’s always aggressive in pursuing what he thinks is right,’’ Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk said.

Stem cell supporters praised Blagojevich’s decision, saying it will help researchers attract private money and ease the pain of Bush’s veto.

“Gov. Blagojevich is simply using the same tools of his executive office (as Bush) to achieve a more positive impact,’’ said Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, D-Evanston.

Critics said the governor is merely trying to score political points.

“There’s a sense this is just another a political opportunity for him,’’ said Peter LaBarbera, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute. “It’s a serious, serious moral issue and it doesn’t deserve to be decided by a political opportunist governor.’’

Blagojevich’s Republican opponent for governor, Judy Baar Topinka, said she supports public funding of stem cell research but that it should be decided in the budget process.

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Reader comments on this story - 21 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Reason together wrote on Jul 22, 2006 12:42 AM:

" Hey doofus, LaBarbera is right. Blago ought to allow the General Assembly to decide this. And what "obvious hatemongering" are you talking about? The Left is great at name calling, but not much else. "

dig deep wrote on Jul 21, 2006 5:34 PM:

" One thing that nobody says is in order for stem cell theory to work and I say theory is the donor and the recipient have to be almost an exact match other wise it won't work "

Leland Lesher wrote on Jul 21, 2006 1:29 PM:

" Whether or not we as individuals favor or detest the research, it is research that has not done what it hopes to do, therefore claims that the President is hurting ill people are unfounded. Also, in the same vain, had the President not excercised his veto, what would Governor B done then? Probably still sent the money with the justification that the President signed the bill into law, therefore, he, (the Governor) was just getting a head start on the Federal funding? I think the Governor knew a long time ago that he was going to do what he did, around the Legislature and around the people of the State of Illinois. "

I think wrote on Jul 21, 2006 10:59 AM:

" Some people don't understand that there is Adult stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research. Bush is banning embryonic stem cell research, whereas Rod is not actually stating what he is doing. Even Ryan Keith uses "Stem Cell" as a vague term in the article. It's like saying "BAN FOOD." Specifics would put the uneducated at ease rather than instill a holy war, unless these are many peoples' intentions, to which I say spot on. "

issue? wrote on Jul 21, 2006 9:57 AM:

" With over a thousand peple getting killed ever day WHY is Bush waisting time on stem cells? If he truley cared about humanity he would work on ending the old war and the new one. Perhaps he is trying to get some votes for his fellow crooks. If things don't get turned around there won't be any need worry about any thing else. "

What an Idiot wrote on Jul 21, 2006 9:44 AM:

" Why does he keep spending the state's money that even isn't there? Whatever happened to "Making schools better"? "

CAROLYN wrote on Jul 21, 2006 9:30 AM:

" SHAME ON BLAGOJEVICH! YOU ADMITTED YOU WERE NOT HONEST WITH THE BUDGET. HOW CAN YOU BE TRUSTED OTHERWISE TO BE TRUTHFULL??? "

step forward wrote on Jul 21, 2006 9:20 AM:

" Blagos administrations has been of one step forward and two back. This move concerning stem cell research is a step forward. Now lets see if he can put together two forward ! "

ChristianTaliban wrote on Jul 21, 2006 8:56 AM:

" Get rid of ram Rod. What a waste. It is obvious, the state did not want this. Our Elected State Congress voted against wasting money on this. So once again Ram Rod forces his agenda through. I despise democraps. "

Good thing wrote on Jul 21, 2006 8:04 AM:

" One of the first good things this governor has done. "

offended wrote on Jul 21, 2006 7:55 AM:

" Nice language, Gary. Using God's name in vain doesn't make you look smarter or add anything to your point. "

To: Hooray Stem Cells wrote on Jul 21, 2006 7:49 AM:

" If you want to make an arguement for embronic stem cells answer these questions....Have there been any studies using embronic that can be duplicated? At the same time have any of these studies shown that adult stem cells would not work? Why haven't those doing the research studied both at the same time side by side? Science 101 is not being followed by those doing the research. The Universities allowing the research are approving this often against their own guidelines because it would be politicly incorrect to not do so. We have lost track of the science because of the issue. "

al wrote on Jul 21, 2006 7:25 AM:

" good for arnold not so good for president bubba bush "

Pay attention, part 2 wrote on Jul 21, 2006 2:42 AM:

" Secondly, this story does not specify which type of stem cell research Blago has whimsically decided to fund - probably because he knows it will appear to most that he is on the opposite side of this issue from Bush. To some extent he is - but remember that Bush supports ADULT stem cell research. So, basically Blago is using our tax $ as an expensive publicity stunt! That's not how I want my fiscally troubled state spending my taxes, especially when it's just the Gov. making the decision. Blago's just as morally bankrupt and just as much of a crook as his predecesor! "

Pay attention wrote on Jul 21, 2006 2:35 AM:

" First of all, Bush has offered continual support for research on adult stem cells. But he feels research on the effectiveness of embryonic stem cells - which scientists admit is still only theoretical - could put us on a slippery slope of generating embryos just for that purpose. That flies in the face of his right to life position, and he has remained consistent in his belief that permitting such funding would be immoral. "

Hooray Stem Cells wrote on Jul 21, 2006 12:34 AM:

" Bush has proven himself to be an enemy of humanity by using his veto on the stem cell bill. Unfortunately, we now need to have each state individually fund this reasearch. Otherwise, we will completely lose one of the last great American industries - drug research and development. Oh, and we'll continue to lose millions of lives that could've been saved if the Christian Taliban wasn't set on stalling stem cell research. It's inevitable - give up you nut-jobs! Does anyone remember when these right-wingers wanted to ban organ transplants because they thought part of the soul would be transplanted with the organ? Why do we respect these fools? They are mentally ill. "

useless wrote on Jul 20, 2006 10:44 PM:

" Re Tar Ded "

Gary wrote on Jul 20, 2006 10:12 PM:

" '... it doesn’t deserve to be decided by a political opportunist governor.' Oh? So it should be decided by a political opportunist president? The bill passed, for chrissakes. "

poor choices wrote on Jul 20, 2006 8:37 PM:

" I did not vote for either one it is a shame that obama did not run I have met him very honest man so far. Don't we have any better people to vote for in this state, its a shame that Chicago did not become the 51 state I would vote for that one when they tried some years ago "

Leland Lesher wrote on Jul 20, 2006 8:14 PM:

" Both candidates for Governor this time around support stem cell research. Both support abortion. Is Topinka really a Republican? Does she differ from Gov. Blagojevich on any issue? A vote for either is a vote for Chicago Democrat Party control. "

doofus wrote on Jul 20, 2006 7:29 PM:

" OK, first of all, why does anyone even quote the obvious hatemongering of Peteee LaBarbie?? That guy's a kook! "
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