Mo. Right to Life urges opposition to MOHELA plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state's largest opponent of embryonic stem-cell research is urging lawmakers to oppose Gov. Matt Blunt's plan to use student loan agency proceeds for university construction projects because of fears the buildings could house such research.

In a letter to lawmakers this week, Missouri Right to Life president Pam Fichter and general counsel James S. Cole wrote that the group opposes a proposal to use $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to support campus building projects. The money, they wrote, is "earmarked to provide just the type of life-destructive funding that the cloners have been seeking from state government for seven years or more."

Fichter said the MOHELA plan must include language that prevents the money from being used for embryonic stem-cell research. But she said that can't be done, because voters approved a constitutional amendment in November that prevents lawmakers from withholding money because of stem-cell research and guarantees that research legal under federal law is legal in Missouri.

House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden said he agrees with the group's call for anti-abortion legislation but believes Right to Life is wrong about MOHELA. Bearden, R-St. Charles, said Blunt and university leaders pledged last year that MOHELA money wouldn't be used for embryonic stem-cell research.

"None of the proceeds of the sale are earmarked for embryonic stem-cell research," Bearden said. "They're off-base on their characterization."

The current MOHELA plan, approved by the Chesterfield-based loan authority's board in September, needs legislative approval. If lawmakers approve the sale, MOHELA would pay $350 million over six years to the Missouri Development Finance Board.

It then would pass $335 million to public colleges and universities for new buildings -- many related to the life sciences. Another $15 million would be used to attract high-tech businesses and convert university research into products.

MOHELA would be given more than $1 billion in tax-exempt bonding authority over 11 years to underwrite new loans. The University of Missouri also would consider using more MOHELA loans, while Blunt promised to support proposals allowing the quasi-governmental agency to originate its own loans.

The development finance board already had approved the current plan, but language board members added to prevent MOHELA money from supporting stem cell research was thrown out after the constitutional amendment was approved.

Blunt's spokesman, Rich Chrismer, said the governor disagrees with the premise behind Missouri Right to Life's opposition and would continue trying to steer the plan through the Legislature. Chrismer said Blunt has built a coalition in support of his plan and would continue touting how the plan would help the state.

With a majority of lawmakers opposed to abortion and an effort by some Republicans to repeal the stem cell amendment, the letter could add another wrinkle to a MOHELA plan that has changed several times since Blunt first unveiled it almost a year ago.

"It creates an issue and a question for many," Bearden said. "There will be some that if there were a vote at this point in time, they probably wouldn't vote for it."

Citing the desire to begin construction projects this year, Blunt is considering calling a special session during the regular legislative session, which would require lawmakers to only deal with the potential sale.

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On the Net:

Missouri Right to Life: www.missourilife.org

Legislature: www.moga.mo.gov