Recently Senator Steve Ogden has been trying to pass a rider to make sure that stem-cell research will not be funded by Texas money. He said that he wanted to make a statement about the bill so it will continue being silent. The commentators on this article were against this bill. They did not want this bill to be passed. They disagreed because it seems that the rider was only being passed because of Senator Ogden's personal beliefs. Because it is a commentary, they are lacking evidence. All of the commintors seem to be for stem-cell research, stating that the senator needs to "represent the best choices for his constituents" and stem-cell research is not a "flat-earth mythology and ghosts n' goblins" but "health and safety."
Personally, I am indecisive about the topic because of my upbringing. I have not researched the topic enough for me to have a solid opinion on the topic. I feel like I am in the middle. Part of me wants the research to continue, but then part of me does not believe in using embryos. I guess I will have to do some research so that I can make a solid decision.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/03/24/stemcell_research_advocates_se.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Treatment Works Bill
I just read an article about a bill that Sens. Rodney Ellis is trying to pass. The bill is called “Treatment Works Bill.” This bill focuses on getting low-level, non-violent, drug offenders out of the state jails and prisons. With drug offenders being out of prison Texas could save $500 million over five years according to the Legislative Budget Board. Doing this during a time of poor economy would be a great idea.
The drug offenders would be put in community supervision and drug treatment. This will still cost money, but the treatment would be paid by the offenders unless they are eligible for government help. This would still cost less because it only costs $3,241 per person with the treatment, but to keep a person in prison costs between $14,000 to $16,000. After the treatment the offender may ask for a nondisclosure allowing him to find a job and funding for education, which also will help them stay clean.
This article is an interesting one to read because it also tells you about prior attempts to pass this bill. Before reading this article I never realized how many people are incarcerated for drug possession and how much our government is spending on keeping them imprisoned. By passing this bill they will be able to save money, spend it on other things that Texas needs, and possibly help offenders get back on their feet without future offenses.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/HomeLinks2?previewDate=2009-03-06&cachebuster=1236380560
The drug offenders would be put in community supervision and drug treatment. This will still cost money, but the treatment would be paid by the offenders unless they are eligible for government help. This would still cost less because it only costs $3,241 per person with the treatment, but to keep a person in prison costs between $14,000 to $16,000. After the treatment the offender may ask for a nondisclosure allowing him to find a job and funding for education, which also will help them stay clean.
This article is an interesting one to read because it also tells you about prior attempts to pass this bill. Before reading this article I never realized how many people are incarcerated for drug possession and how much our government is spending on keeping them imprisoned. By passing this bill they will be able to save money, spend it on other things that Texas needs, and possibly help offenders get back on their feet without future offenses.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/HomeLinks2?previewDate=2009-03-06&cachebuster=1236380560
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