Bill limits research funding

Sponsors aim to keep Third Frontier awards within Bush's stem-cell guidelines.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Majority Republicans in the Ohio Senate say they expect swift passage of a bill that would ban loans and grants from Ohio's Third Frontier Project from being used for embryonic stem-cell research.
Third Frontier is Gov. Bob Taft's program to boost high-tech jobs in the Buckeye State.
The bill, introduced Thursday and sponsored by Republican state Sens. Jim Jordan of Urbana and Lynn R. Wachtmann of Napoleon, would prevent the Third Frontier Commission, which distributes Third Frontier funds, from awarding loans or grants for research activities involving embryonic stem-cell research.
Specific goals
Majority Senate Republicans say the proposal would ensure the Third Frontier program is in line with guidelines set by President Bush, which say embryonic stem-cell research can be conducted only on existing stem cell lines. Taft has signed an executive order mirroring the president's language that would expire when the Republican governor's term ends in January 2007.
The Senate measure is expected to be voted out of the Senate Finance Committee next week and to be considered by the full Senate soon after, majority Republicans said.
The bill would affect Issue 1, a $2 billion bond issue on the November ballot -- essentially a loan to be taken out through the sale of bonds -- that includes $500 million in research money for Taft's Third Frontier program.
"I feel very strongly that this is a very important issue to protect life and the whole culture of life," said Wachtmann.
Wachtmann said he was pleased the proposal could move quickly.
Criticism
Harris said he plans to speak with minority Senate Democrats about the measure.
Harris said he intends to speak to House Speaker Jon A. Husted, a suburban Dayton Republican, about the measure. Neither Husted nor his spokeswoman could immediately be reached late Thursday.
Taft was returning from an international trade mission Thursday, but Taft spokesman Orest Holubec said the governor would review the Senate measure.
"If it mirrors his executive order, he would sign the bill," Holubec said.