Senator Runner Comments on Federal Ruling that Temporarily Bans Federal Stem Cell Research

Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) released the following statements in response to a ruling by a federal judge who temporarily banned federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, sidetracking President Barack Obama’s executive order which had expanded federal funding for human stem cell research last year:

“I am pleased with Judge Lamberth’s ruling,” said Runner who has authored legislation that would compel the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to award grants to adult stem cell (pluripotent) researchers.

“The main issue is President Obama’s end-run around a federal law, the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which Congress passed in 1996, that clearly prohibits the use of federal funds for stem cell research.

“The other issue is that in the past few years, scientists have discovered that adult stem cell research has real scientific value – as much or more than embryonic stem cell research.”

AP: Bill would expand Calif. emergency-alert system

by the Associated Press via the San Jose Mercury-News

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California’s Amber Alert notification system would be expanded to include attacks against law enforcement officers involving a fleeing suspect under a bill approved by lawmakers.The state Senate on Thursday unanimously approved SB839, sending it to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill would allow so-called Blue Alerts to be issued when a peace officer is killed or seriously wounded and the suspect escapes. The alerts could broadcast descriptions of a suspect or vehicle on television, radio stations and freeway signs.

The bill’s author, Republican Sen. George Runner of Lancaster, says California would be among the first states to implement Blue Alerts statewide. California’s current Amber Alert system has been in place since 2002.