(see News section for a full listing)
Because the federal government has severely limited this type of stem cell research to a small of number of what we now know are unsuitable lines of embryonic stem cells, the states have started to take the lead in this exciting research. Much is at stake: staying at the cutting edge of biomedical discoveries; relieving suffering from painful, debilitating, and terminal conditions; reversing the brain drain of researchers, enhancing economic development, increasing civic pride, and the opportunity to strengthen in every way our world-class hospitals and research facilities. A few states — notably New Jersey, Wisconsin and Illinois — are rushing to catch up with California in encouraging stem cell research, with an eye on the prestige and economic benefits that could result. At the moment, Pennsylvania is nowhere.
I have been and will continue to be a leader on this issue. I have introduced legislation authorizing embryonic stem cell research in successive sessions. In September of 2005, I held a hearing and arranged a tour for legislators at the University of Pennsylvania. Although there were opponents in attendance, I was very pleased with the positive response from most lawmakers. Gov. Rendell enthusiastically supports my initiative. I look forward to success; I will not quit until we have won this battle.
I serve on the Pennsylvania House Life Sciences Caucus. The Caucus focuses on biotechnology and the life sciences in Pennsylvania and will address issues of importance to the biotechnology and life sciences community, including both research and business growth.
Pennsylvania is a world-leading location for the life sciences with more than 2,000 companies directly related to the industry, employing nearly 84,000 Pennsylvanians, and approximately twice this in indirect employment from industries that support the life sciences. The therapies, devices, diagnostics and vaccines that companies in Pennsylvania are researching and developing will provide relief and cures for people globally who suffer from debilitating, painful, or terminal conditions.
Early in 2006, Governor Rendell announced a biomedical research funding initiative, which I strongly support.
July 19, 2005
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the growing serious problem of identity theft.
At the end of June, we learned that CardSystems divulged 40 million credit card numbers to hackers. Last year, ChoicePoint sold the personal information of about 145,000 consumers to a scam company. Anytime you give personal data to a bank, a university, or a medical provider you run the risk of exposing yourself to identity thieves. According to Newsweek, fewer than one in 700 identity crimes results in a conviction.
I am a co-sponsor to three important bills that seek to address this increasingly common crime.
The first, the Consumer Credit Rights Act, sets new responsibilities for issuers of credit cards requiring that they verify their customers’ addresses and changes of addresses. Under this Act card issuers would be prohibited from unnecessarily collecting and disseminating customers’ social security numbers and required to shred or otherwise destroy discarded records that contain personal information.
The second proposal raises grading of the offense of identity theft so that judges and juries will take it seriously. Additionally, it requires courts to order that offenders not only make restitution to identity theft victims but also that expedited determinations of factual innocence be made when imposters have committed crimes in victims’ names.
The final bill sets up the Identity Theft Database which includes voluntary fingerprinting for victims. It further establishes a three year pilot project in the Office of the Attorney General which would also be responsible for creating a regional information clearinghouse for law enforcement agents, for conducting public awareness campaigns, and for fostering investigational and prosecutorial co-operation at all levels of government.
I will work to make sure all of these proposals are enacted. I am not intimidated by the financial industry. However, the lasting solution to the challenge of identity theft is not to be found in state law. I suggest you make your concern known to your senators and representatives in Washington, so that we can address these crimes on the global level as they must be.
Yours,
Babette Josephs