Speaker of the House Rod Jetton says he will consider signing onto a bill that would ask voters to overturn this November's stem cell initiative, by passing a sweeping ban on all types of cloning.
Jetton made his comments in a press conference at the Capitol last week:
Catanese - How divided is your caucus on the bill to overturn stem cell research?
Jetton - I don't know . . . we're a big happy team as far as I know . . . (Laughter)
Catanese - Do you expect it to get to the floor and will there be a debate on that bill?
Jetton - I expect there's going to be a debate. We'll have a process, we're going to work through it. Obviously my caucus, other caucuses, you have one-third against, one-third for it, one-third in the middle and so it's very contentious. We weren't able to to move anything, no legislation ever moved in favor of stem cells and it's been hard getting legislation moved against stem cells. That's why the initiative petition have gone on. But I would say this year, you'll see some fair debate as it goes through the process. But what the outcome will be, hard for me to predict because it's so volatile.
Catanese - So history shows it's not going anywhere because it hasn't gone anywhere in the past?
Jetton - I don't know about history, but I think the facts and differences of opinion and emotional aspect of both sides kind of make it hard to get 82 in the House and 18 in the Senate.
Catanese - Do you support it?
Jetton - Support what?
Catanese - Do you support that bill to overturn the stem cell initiative?
Jetton - I haven't co-signed it yet, but I'm definitely looking at it.
(Another reporter) - That was diplomatic.
Jetton - (Laughs) It will have a fair process to get through the system. I'll probably stay out of that fray as a leader.
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