Daily Archives: March 9, 2009

Obama made correct decision on stem cell research

March 9, 20091:29 p.m.

stemcell2President Obama made the difficult but correct decision today to lift restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. He acknowledged that “many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about or strongly oppose this research,” but that a majority of Americans “from across the political spectrum” support it. Stem cell research, he noted, could “help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions.” Obama also rejected the “false choice between sound science and moral values,” saying that “I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research — and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under President Obama, Science | Comments (72)

Obama takes aim at charitable deductions

March 9, 20096:02 a.m.

robertsmug7President Obama’s proposal to pay for health care reform in part by reducing wealthy Americans’ tax break on charitable donations is making charities nervous. Administration officials say the reduction will be modest and questions whether givers will be deterred. But “I don’t understand why the administration would try to create any disincentive that reduced any donations to charity,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. Under Obama’s plan, top-bracket taxpayers could see their deduction for every donated $1 decline from 35 cents to 28 cents. In 2006 those 2 percent of taxpayers — the families earning more than $250,000 — did 28 percent of the charitable giving.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation, President Obama | Comments (133)

Open thread 3/9

March 9, 20096:01 a.m.

thread360

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (220)

Thornburgh sees failure to communicate

March 9, 20096:00 a.m.

thornburghronSecretary of State Ron Thornburgh, who is running against Sam Brownback for the GOP primary for governor, recently characterized relations between Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and GOP legislative leaders as “horrendous. They don’t do a good job of communicating with each other. They seem to think it’s more important their opponent lose than policy win. That’s both sides, but it’s a responsibility of the governor to lead the state of Kansas, even when communication is difficult.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (6)