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Capitol offenses

By A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published April 14, 2007

Stem cell debate stifled

There's nothing wrong with pushing for state dollars for research using stem cells from adults and umbilical chords, as bills moving through state House and Senate committees propose. But it's bad form to mischaracterize the promise of the more controversial - and potentially more beneficial - embryonic stem cell research in the process and stifle discussion.

Democrats complained at the House Healthcare Council on Tuesday that their bills advocating embryonic stem cell research were never scheduled for a hearing. Rep. Lorranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, also pointed out the "pretty one-sided propaganda" distributed at the council hearing to bolster the argument for focusing on adult stem cells and said Republicans gave her no time to bring experts to testify on embryonic stem cell research. Attempts to remove a ban on state money for embryonic stem cell research in HB 1065 failed.

"This is a smokescreen attempt to try to spend money on research that doesn't work," said Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, the bill sponsor.

Now that's real smoke. Credible researchers - and even credible critics - don't make such blanket statements and acknowledge the promise of embryonic stem cells and the need for more study. And let's remember Gov. Charlie Crist called for state funding for embryonic stem cell research during the campaign and only backed off because there isn't enough support in the House. Lawmakers who can't see the light should at least debate the issue based on real science, not misleading rhetoric.

Cell phone disconnect

It is just 10 lines in an obscure bill titled "Debt Cancellation Products." But its impact on cell phone buyers would be terribly unfair. The bill, SB 1754, would enable phone companies to embed the cost of insurance for the cell phone in the total cost of the phone, take it or leave it. Now such insurance is sold as an option, and consumers can choose to buy the phone with or without coverage.

Sens. Mandy Dawson, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, raised questions but were stonewalled at the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee this week. Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, clouded the issue by talking about warranties on televisions - an entirely different issue. Leave it to Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, to effectively block this anti-consumer provision at least temporarily. She sharply drew out the distinction between warranties and insurance, then summed up the bill: It lets phone companies jack up the cost of a cell phone by forcing consumers to buy insurance.

"Consumers should have the ability to say, 'I don't want that insurance,' " Storms said. "Don't bury it in the cost. There is no free lunch."

Thanks to her, the committee was forced to postpone a vote on the bill, which should not see the light of day.

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 21:37:28]