Update for the 81sts Legislative Session — Texans for Stem Cell Research
Wow, what a session! By all accounts, and considering the political climate in Texas regarding stem cell research, Texans for Stem Cell Research (TSCR) enjoyed a very successful legislative session!
Testifying in Support of SB 73
We began this session by co-sponsoring several events:
The Texas Democratic Party’s “Moving Texas Forward”, where we welcomed all Democratic legislators back to Austin. Next, we co-sponsored an information day for legislative members and their staff, with Representative Mark Homer and noted speakers Bernard Weinstein, PHD, North Texas University, whose economic impact study details the enormous amounts of dollars the State of Texas can realize by being a leader in stem cell research. Finally, Bettie Sue Masters, a scientist with the University of Texas at San Antonio and a leader in the stem cell research field, gave a wonderful synopsis of the issue, (which, by the way, was easy to understand for the layman!) of the science and all of the promises which could be realized with further research.
Many Bills Related to Stem Cells Filed
SB 1695 by Ogden — A very onerous bill which would have banned all state funding for stem cell research in Texas. After our strong opposition, along with assistance from our friends at Texans for the Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Parkinson’s Network, Ellen Arnold and others, Ogden finally gave up and never brought the bill up before his committee.
We were concerned he might have brought SB 1695 up by suspending the rules and hopefully avoiding public testimony by all interested parties. He demonstrated his propensity for abusing the legislative process earlier by a much more egregious action several days earlier. (I will go into much more depth later in this update).
To ensure he couldn't force this bill through, we diligently shadowed the Senate Finance Committee and Senator Ogden by taking turns watching the committee. This effort was led by the wonderful and dogged ( I mean this in the most flattering terms) TAMR statewide grass roots chairwoman, Lorraine Chammah, with help from Laura Templeton of JDRF, Earl Dumitru, Maxine Jenks, Ellen Arnold and myself. This vigil was documented by Robert Garrett of the Dallas Morning News and Channel 8 TV in Austin.
A funny aside, Senator Ogden was continually chided by his fellow Senate members, who often asked, him, “Where are they now? Are they following you?” It’s not common for one of the most powerful elected officials to be an object of amusement for his fellow members.
SB 2573 by Ogden — would have required all institutions conducting stem cell research in Texas to report all aspects of the research, including where they received the funding and how the money was spent. This died at the end of the session.
SB 73 by Sen. Nelson – An adult stem cell bill we could have lived with which created a consortium for stem cell research and would not have prohibited state funding for embryonic stem cell research at any medical facility or university in Texas. We testified in favor of this bill halfway thru the session. It did not pass.
HB 1190 by Rep. Homer - Would ban human cloning in Texas. We testified in favor of this bill. It never made it out of House State Affairs Committee.
SB 1600 by Sen. Watson – A stem cell reporting bill. We were in favor of, but it did not pass.
The Unexpected Appropriations Bill Rider to Ban Stem Cell Research
Senator Ogden, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and one of the most powerful members of the legislature, added a rider, (17.13) to the Appropriations Bill, which would have banned any state funding for embryonic stem cell research. This was done in his Finance Committee, late at night with four members absent. He explained, “We have discussed this in private”. He then asked for a vote. The vote was 6-5 in favor of the rider. Little did he know, the 28 words in his rider would wake the sleeping giants which included TSCR, TAMR, JDRF, renowned scientists, and many concerned citizens. He actually had to admit he never realized the strength of his opposition.
Our Work Against the Rider Through Education, Advocacy
With the leadership of Joe and Nina Brown (co-founders of TAMR), the expertise of Ellen Arnold, TAMR’s tireless lobbyist and many others including Becky McCleary and, Judy Haley, we marshaled all forces against Senator Ogden and his rider. We divided up the 150 House members, 31 Senators, Lt. Governor and Speaker and went to work.
We distributed letters to all of the members from the top stem cell scientists in Texas, who opposed the rider. We also distributed a letter from the Greater Houston Area Partnership to all of the Houston area delegation as part of the continued education effort.
Our arguments could not be denied.
We participated in a press conference at the Capitol where the featured speakers were House members Rick Hardcastle (a member diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis), Mark Homer, and Ellen Cohen. Other speakers included Laura Templeton of Juvenile Diabetes, Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, Emma Garrett, and me. We all urged the legislature in general and Senator Ogden, in particular, to take his stem cell rider off of the Appropriations Bill.
Our Friends in the Senate, House
Representatives Rick Hardcastle, Senfronia Thompson, Jim Dunnam, Ellen Cohen, Mark Homer, Richard Raymond, Valinda Bolton, Eddie Rodriguez, Mark Strama, Patrick Rose, Jim Pitts, Ruth McClendon, John Zerwas and Speaker of the House, Joe Strauss on the House side, were our tireless champions who provided strong leadership for us. Senators Kirk Watson, Eliot Shapleigh, Wendy Davis, Rodney Ellis and Judith Zaffirini, actually voted against SB 1, the Appropriations Bill because of Senator Ogden’s rider. Their continued opposition to the rider, along with Senator Royce West, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was instrumental in ultimately having it removed from the bill. Most members were in favor of stem cell research and the need to not ban any state funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Finally, conference committee members were chosen by the Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Strauss. These members would meet to decide the final version of the appropriations bill.
We concentrated all of our efforts on these members over an intense three week effort.
The Final Push to Defeat the Rider Banning Stem Cell Research
We attempted to educate all of these members with information to assist in their decision. The University of Texas’ Law School hosted a stem cell conference, “Law and Innovation, The Embryonic Stem Cell Controversy”, May 5-6th, 2009 which came at a very opportune time. U.T. law professor John Robertson led the conference with help from his wonderful assistant, Maria Allen. Leading scientists, professors and attorneys from all over the country attended and gave the very latest information on stem cell research. Dr. Larry Goldstein, in particular, was very helpful. We helped arrange a meeting with Senator Florence Shapiro of the conference committee and he explained all of the reasons that Senator Ogden’s rider was detrimental to medical research in Texas. I believe this meeting was instrumental in helping the Senate conferees vote in our favor, by removing the Ogden Rider from the Appropriations Bill SB1.
On the House side, Chairman Pitts and Vice-Chairman Raymond were also instrumental in the removal of the rider. They held the House conferees together in a show of strength against the rider.
Finally, in the Senate Finance Committee with all conferees present, Senator Ogden pulled down his rider from the Appropriations Bill. Victory!
Looking to the Future
This session our advocacy and education efforts were geared to removing language designed to limit stem cell research in Texas. However, next session will be different, we hope to expand research!
We feel Texas needs to take a comprehensive approach to all forms of stem cell research, including embryonic. We’ve already had discussions with our leaders at the Capitol and plan on assisting them in presenting a bill next session which will allow the State of Texas to reassume its rightful place as a leader in all medical research! Also, there will be opportunities to present our legislative plans to Interim Study Committees having jurisdiction over health care issues. The stakes are too high to continue falling further and further behind not only other states, but the rest of the world!
More Thanks Deserved
I would be remiss to not thank the wonderful aides to legislative members who made themselves available to us many, many times, at all hours, and almost always with a smile on their face. I may miss one or two and I apologize, but these staffers were incredible regardless of their offices position on this issue. If you ever have occasion to see these folks, please tell them how much you appreciate what they do.
They are : Missy - Rep. Hardcastle, Hugh - Rep. Dunnam, Demetrius and Lindsay - Rep. Homer, Bill- Rep. Cohen, Brett - Rep. Thompson, Graham - Sen. West, Marshall - Sen. Davis, Sushma - Sen. Shapleigh, Jerry and Luis - Sen. Hinojosa. Yolanda – Sen. Watson, Jennifer and Tara – Sen. Shapiro, Stephanie and Detta - Sen. Carona .
I also want to thank my fellow board members for all of their hard work, editing and strategic advice. And a special thanks to new Advisory Council member, Susan Longley. Her institutional knowledge of the legislature and what makes the makes the wheels turn was invaluable. Thanks Susie!
How You Can Help
This session we demonstrated our desire and ability to further stem cell research and at some time, therapy in Texas. As most of you know, this work has been a labor of love for me and my fellow board and advisory council members, completely in a volunteer capacity. We’ve also financed everything out of our own pockets. However, in order to take our organization to higher levels, we need everyone’s help.
We’re a grass roots organizations who need volunteers who can assist with their TIME, TALENT or TREASURE. If you or anyone you know would like to get involved please let us know. If you support our work, please visit our donation page, and encourage your friends too as well!
Our Upcoming Fundraiser
We are also making plans for this year’s fundraiser and should have locations identified very soon. We’ll need sponsors, silent and live auction items, golfers, celebrities, longhorn legends, food and beverage sponsors and many more. This year’s event will be in late October or early November. Stay tuned because it’s always a blast! Check out videos on our website of past events to get a feel for past events, give us your contact info or make a donation!
We’ve all had people very close to us affected by a terrible disease or accident that stem cell treatment could possibly helped them live longer or better. If you want to help this dream become a reality, jump in! We’re very excited about the huge strides we’ve made as an organization and all of the wonderful people we have met. Join us as we continue this wonderful fight!
Texans for Stem Cell Research believes in Hope and Quality of Life!
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