FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Contact: Mike Seitz, (573) 526-0949
Contact: Betsy Byers, (573) 751-0356

Carnahan Announces Stem Cell Initiative Petition Approved for Circulation for 2006 Ballot

Jefferson City, Missouri -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced that yesterday an initiative petition that would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies and cures met state standards for circulation.

Before the issue can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2006 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to 8 percent of the total votes cast in the last governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts. Depending on which congressional districts are used, approximately 145,000 valid signatures are required for a proposed constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process. The ballot language for this constitutional change reads:

"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures which will:

• ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law;
• ban human cloning or attempted cloning;
• require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and purpose of stem cell research;
• impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations; and
• prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful stem cell research, therapies and cures?

The proposed constitutional amendment would have an estimated annual fiscal impact on state and local governments of $0-$68,916."

Ballot language in full text for the issue is available on the Secretary of State's website at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/ppStemCell.asp.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

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