SSTI Digest

Voters in Missouri approved, 51 percent to 49 percent, an amendment to the state constitution that will prohibit state or local governments from preventing embryonic stem cell research. The amendment also defines what type of research is permitted.

 

The vote comes after years of controversy in the state with frequent attempts by some state legislators to restrict the research in the state. The amendment is the first of its kind in the nation to remove the issue from the legislature and put it directly to the voters.

 

The amendment will accomplish the following, according to the fair ballot language on the website of the Missouri Secretary of State:

The wave that swept the Democrats into control of Congress manifested itself on the state level in the legislatures as well. Democrats took control of nine chambers, while Republicans picked up one. After Tuesday's election, the Democrats took control of the following chambers: Indiana House, Iowa House and Senate, Minnesota House, Michigan House, New Hampshire House and Senate, Oregon House, and Wisconsin Senate. Republicans picked up the Montana House.



Final results are still uncertain in the Pennsylvania House, where the Democrats hoped to regain control. As of Nov. 11, press reports indicated that Democrats had won 101 seats in the Pennsylvania House, the Republicans had won 99 seats and were leading in three other races.



As a result of the elections, Democrats will control both chambers in 23 legislatures, Republicans will control both in 15, and chambers will be split in 10 states. The total comes to 48 because of the uncertainty in Pennsylvania and Nebraska, which has a unicameral legislature.

Last Tuesday's election included four ballot initiatives pertaining to the issuance of bonds for capital improvement projects at higher education institutions as well as a highly watched amendment to the state constitution in Michigan to ban public institutions from utilizing affirmative action practices. All five measures passed.

Five states voted on measures that would have the effect of limiting the growth of government expenditures or taxes. Four states rejected the measures, while Arizona narrowly approved its measure.

Two states had measures on the ballot to address energy conservation and encourage alternative energy production and technology. While Washington's measure passed, California's failed.

 

Washington's Initiative 937 will result in targets for energy conservation and use of renewable energy resources for all electric utility companies that serve more than 25,000 customers in the state. Electric companies will required to provide 3 percent of total electricity to its retail customers from renewable resources by 2012, with that percentage eventually increasing to 15 percent of total electricity distribution by 2020.  Renewable resources include wind farms, solar panels and geothermal plants. This initiative passed 52 percent to 48 percent.

 

Voters in Oklahoma approved 54 percent to 46 percent State Question 725, which was intended to provide financial assistance to "high-risk" manufacturers in the state, in order to minimize the possible loss of employment. Funds provided to each manufacturer by the state would be limited to 10 percent of the manufacturers in-state capital investment. The source in the budget for this initiative would be Oklahoma's Rainy Day Fund, which can only be accessed when the fund is at least $80 million, and annual funding would be limited to $10 million total.