A judge in Jefferson City has denied a request for a temporary restraining order to stop public funds being used by the Life Sciences Trust Fund. Attorney Ed Martin, who represents the Missouri Roundtable for Life, claims the Trust Fund might soon spend public dollars to fund abortion, cloning, and human experimentation because of the wording of the Stem Cell Initiative - Amendment 2 - which was approved in 2006.
Martin adds the Trust Fund or any other entity that benefits from voter approval of Amendment 2 has an expectation of funding without decreases.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Karen Mitchell, representing the state, argued the Stem Cell Amendment does not guarantee money down the road – there is no expectation of funding. She added there is no money being transferred from the State Treasurer’s Office to the Trust Fund until 2009, so there was no need for a temporary restraining order.
A trial on the merits of the plaintiffs’ arguments – which deals in part with whether there is a conflict between state law regarding abortion money and approval of Amendment 2 – will be held August 1st in Cole County Circuit Court.
Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)
