JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Rep. Noel Torpey, R-Independence, was confused. He took pride in his 100 percent pro-life voting record.
“I’m Irish Catholic,” he said. “It’s an important issue for me.”
Yet, Missouri Right to Life opposes two current bills he’s sponsoring; bills that have nothing to do with abortion. HB 1310 is a bill for angel tax credits to be awarded to startups. HB 1495 is also related to startups but with the Missouri Technology Commission matching funds raised by non-profits for startup businesses.
While most startups are tech based, some of the credits or funding in Torpey’s bills could go to scientific research facilities. This is what Right to Life has an issue with. Of those research labs, the group contends some could be conducting embryonic stem cell research or cloning experiments.
“Life science research history shows we need guidelines,” Legislative Liaison Susan Klein said. “Missouri Right to Life has always looked at every piece of legislation that deals with human life.”
Torpey said he was aware of this issue, but there is language in Missouri law, proposed by House Speaker Catherine Hanaway back in 2003 that protects tax dollars from going to that type of research.
Klein said this only applies to the Life Sciences Trust Fund and both of Torpey’s bills work through the MTC. Head of the House Economic Development Committee Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St.Charles, said there is language in every MTC appropriations line item that protects tax dollars from going to embryonic stem cell or cloning research.
“We went with the MTC language because that what’s the other organizations preferred,” Torpey said.
Torpey is upset that MRTL did not express any concerns before testifying in committee. He said he proposed the same bills last year and that MRTL never objected. Zerr added that MRTL did not meet with her before opposing bills in her committee either. Klein counters that her association’s position has not changed from last year.
“Usually you go to the chairman or the sponsor of the bill,” Torpey said. “In two of these cases I was both.”
Torpey poses what’s different this year is that it’s and election year. He cited that MRTL opposed tax credits to the Ford Plant in 2010.
“The only cloning going on at the Ford Plant is cars,” he said. “That created 1,000 of jobs.”
Klein said MRTL would have no problem with either of Torpey’s bills with a language change. She said her association supported an economic development bill last year, HB 698, sponsored by Zerr that included the right protective language.
Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, serves on the Economic Development Committee. He said that Klein donated $10,000 against him in his most recent election.
“I’ve been pro-life for 40 years,” he said. “You either do what they say or they come after you.”
If MRTL’s goal was to stir the political pot, than the move has worked. Although more determined and frustrated, Torpey is worried. He does not want his or any of Republican colleagues records being called into question. Zerr expressed similar concerns.
“I don’t want to put my members in a bad situation,” he said.
However, MRTL may have weakened its position by opposing economic bills so ardently.
“When I first came here, if Missouri Right to Life said something, everybody listened to it,” Engler said.
“I think it does hurt their credibility with legislators,” Zerr said.
Despite MRTL’s objections, Torpey’s legislation is moving up the ladder. HB 1310 is on the House calendar. HB 1495 has passed through one committee and has now been assigned to Rules. Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, is the sponsor of SB 698 which is the angel fund bill equivalent in the Senate. SB 698 is up for a hearing in the Jobs, Local Government, and Economic Development Hearing next week.
