5. SB 1 3rd Reading

Final Passage; April 1, 2009 Journal Page 835; 26 Yeas, 5 Nays

YCT Yea. On March 23rd, Appropriations Chair Steve Ogden inserted a rider into the Appropriations bill prohibiting state funds from being spent on embryonic stem cell research. Certain members vowed to vote against the budget because of the rider, and the appropriations bill became a test vote on state funded embryonic stem cell research. All life is precious and innocent life is most deserving of protection. The stem cell rider, had it remained in the bill, would have maintained proper medical ethics in Texas and would have protected innocent human life from medical experimentation.