Letter to the Editor, Capital Times Forum page/Voice of the People
I must say that I was dismayed after reading the political discussion in The Wisconsin Way’s position paper, “Wisconsin at the Crossroads.” I found this discussion lacking in candor if not disingenuous. I believe that many citizens will read this segment and feel disheartened by such a simplistic analysis of the central political problem facing Wisconsin. Are we really expected to believe that the single greatest problem at our state Capital should be understood and has to do simply with partisan gridlock and ideological inflexibility?
It’s not that “our elected officials are trapped in a political process that thrives on issue polarization.” Rather it’s you and I, the voters and taxpayers of this state, who are trapped by allowing the rich and powerful to own our lawmakers. Our legislators are doing just fine, thank you, by repeatedly staying in office owing to big fat contributions year after year.
Any fair and honest discussion of the present context and process of policy making at our Capital it seems to me must, at its center, be focused on the corrupt pay-to-play culture that exists there. What good would be accomplished if the people of Wisconsin, through a state-wide conversation and consensus, for example, should come to the conclusion that indeed corporations in Wisconsin should be taxed more and also by the community in which they are located?
This enraged citizen taxpayer believes that any solution that ignores the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform in Wisconsin will be a paper tiger and go the same way as most other such initiatives have gone. It will be little more than shifting the sand piles around because reform, without the people owning and controlling their government, is futile.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Monday, December 10, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Stem Cell Debate is Needed
Have Wisconsin taxpayers been deprived of having a vigorous and diverse discussion regarding the future of Wisconsin’s embryonic stem cell research in our State? I think so! I believe one reason for this is the polarized, highly partisan, and special interest-owned state legislature. It is due to legislators’ eagerness to play it safe and stay in office versus fairly representing the diverse and complex needs of all the people of Wisconsin.
To date the legislature’s single flex reaction has been to try and criminalize perhaps the most important scientific discovery of our lifetime. Shame on our state legislature for its inertia and lack of policy leadership on perhaps the most important issue it will ever face.
Recently I attended a lecture sponsored by the Wisconsin Academy of sciences arts & letters entitled, “Tales from the Other Biotech Frontier” by Alta Charo of the University of Wisconsin/Madison Law and Medical School. The subtext for this talk was how our policy makers here in Wisconsin can keep our state competitive. Charo had recently spent a year in California and informed us how this state “has become the world’s leader in stem cell research.” She referred to the state’s 3 billion dollar research program and how they plan to loan 300 million dollars each year over ten years to support stem cell research in California.
Charo reviewed the various stem cell stakeholder groups and the role that each of them played since the state’s referendum, Proposition 71, was approved by over sixty percent of the voters. Most of Charo’s talk was a provocative narrative of how a real democracy is supposed to work. All the actors had the opportunity to make their rights, needs and wishes known.
Stakeholders included the governor, legislature, taxpayers, women health groups, the religious community, the university community, biotech companies, patient and social justice activists, the LGBT community, people of color, and disabilities communities. What has played out over the past five years can best be described as how a diverse grassroots democracy is supposed to work when confronted with a very complex and potentially life changing issue.
Wisconsin has not had this debate. Perhaps now with James Thomson and JunyingYu’s latest stem cell alternative discovery ---using human skin cells in place of human embryonic stem cells --- the citizens of Wisconsin will begin talking over their dinner tables and with their neighbors about the tremendous speed with which biotechnology is developing and how it is likely to affect our lives and especially the lives of our grandchildren.
What accounts for the fact that there have been no stem cell policy initiatives from our legislature, including not a dollar, for even basic stem cell research? Should not the Wisconsin taxpayers insist on state policies to insure that research in Wisconsin is conducted in a safe and ethical manner and that public benefits, including affordable and accessible stem cell-based therapies, will follow?
Why should Wisconsin taxpayers pay multiple times for the benefits of stem-cell research? Should they pay for basic research now and again later for costly commercial therapies? Should they pay once when they employ a Wisconsin stem-cell research scientist and again when that scientist makes a major discovery? And, then again, when that publicly supported discovery results in a disease-curing commercial stem-cell-based therapy?
Shouldn’t Wisconsin taxpayers receive a payback if and when a revenue stream results from publicly funded research? Shouldn’t all Wisconsin taxpayers, including our underserved and uninsured populations, benefit from more affordable and accessible stem sell therapies?
And finally, why at the epicenter of embryonic stem cell research, where the first human embryonic stem cell was first derived, is there such a deafening public silence? Only through greater transparent discussions in the public square can we find the clarity and balance that we all seek between those areas where more scientific progress is still needed and areas where caution and perhaps enough human engineering is enough? In a great progressive state like Wisconsin, all the stakeholders, including especially our young people, need to come to the table and reason together.
To date the legislature’s single flex reaction has been to try and criminalize perhaps the most important scientific discovery of our lifetime. Shame on our state legislature for its inertia and lack of policy leadership on perhaps the most important issue it will ever face.
Recently I attended a lecture sponsored by the Wisconsin Academy of sciences arts & letters entitled, “Tales from the Other Biotech Frontier” by Alta Charo of the University of Wisconsin/Madison Law and Medical School. The subtext for this talk was how our policy makers here in Wisconsin can keep our state competitive. Charo had recently spent a year in California and informed us how this state “has become the world’s leader in stem cell research.” She referred to the state’s 3 billion dollar research program and how they plan to loan 300 million dollars each year over ten years to support stem cell research in California.
Charo reviewed the various stem cell stakeholder groups and the role that each of them played since the state’s referendum, Proposition 71, was approved by over sixty percent of the voters. Most of Charo’s talk was a provocative narrative of how a real democracy is supposed to work. All the actors had the opportunity to make their rights, needs and wishes known.
Stakeholders included the governor, legislature, taxpayers, women health groups, the religious community, the university community, biotech companies, patient and social justice activists, the LGBT community, people of color, and disabilities communities. What has played out over the past five years can best be described as how a diverse grassroots democracy is supposed to work when confronted with a very complex and potentially life changing issue.
Wisconsin has not had this debate. Perhaps now with James Thomson and JunyingYu’s latest stem cell alternative discovery ---using human skin cells in place of human embryonic stem cells --- the citizens of Wisconsin will begin talking over their dinner tables and with their neighbors about the tremendous speed with which biotechnology is developing and how it is likely to affect our lives and especially the lives of our grandchildren.
What accounts for the fact that there have been no stem cell policy initiatives from our legislature, including not a dollar, for even basic stem cell research? Should not the Wisconsin taxpayers insist on state policies to insure that research in Wisconsin is conducted in a safe and ethical manner and that public benefits, including affordable and accessible stem cell-based therapies, will follow?
Why should Wisconsin taxpayers pay multiple times for the benefits of stem-cell research? Should they pay for basic research now and again later for costly commercial therapies? Should they pay once when they employ a Wisconsin stem-cell research scientist and again when that scientist makes a major discovery? And, then again, when that publicly supported discovery results in a disease-curing commercial stem-cell-based therapy?
Shouldn’t Wisconsin taxpayers receive a payback if and when a revenue stream results from publicly funded research? Shouldn’t all Wisconsin taxpayers, including our underserved and uninsured populations, benefit from more affordable and accessible stem sell therapies?
And finally, why at the epicenter of embryonic stem cell research, where the first human embryonic stem cell was first derived, is there such a deafening public silence? Only through greater transparent discussions in the public square can we find the clarity and balance that we all seek between those areas where more scientific progress is still needed and areas where caution and perhaps enough human engineering is enough? In a great progressive state like Wisconsin, all the stakeholders, including especially our young people, need to come to the table and reason together.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Unity of Madison Theatre
To: webmaster@madstage.com
Eric - Deenah Givens, Social Justice Justice Minister and myself (William R. Benedict), a member of Unity of Madison's Social Justice Advisory Council, met with Sarah Blake this morning regarding our plans to develop a small theatre group that would produce plays that would promote campaign finance reform and/or clean government.
We haven't officially named our group yet but for now we will simply call it "Unity of Madison Theatre." Our plans now call for calling for scripts relating to campaign finance reform.
Just want to let you know that Sarah discussed and highly recommended your site as an excellent resource for people like us who wish to start a new theatre. As we go along in the process we plan to use MadStage to help us recruit play participants, advertise and generally in whatever way that we can.
In my blog, I will include periodic postings on our theatre's progress, show dates, etc. I will also include MadStage's URL in my list of links so that when we join and advertise through MadStage it will be easy for my readers to contact us. I also hope that we can join and support this website.
Best regards, Bill Benedict
Eric - Deenah Givens, Social Justice Justice Minister and myself (William R. Benedict), a member of Unity of Madison's Social Justice Advisory Council, met with Sarah Blake this morning regarding our plans to develop a small theatre group that would produce plays that would promote campaign finance reform and/or clean government.
We haven't officially named our group yet but for now we will simply call it "Unity of Madison Theatre." Our plans now call for calling for scripts relating to campaign finance reform.
Just want to let you know that Sarah discussed and highly recommended your site as an excellent resource for people like us who wish to start a new theatre. As we go along in the process we plan to use MadStage to help us recruit play participants, advertise and generally in whatever way that we can.
In my blog, I will include periodic postings on our theatre's progress, show dates, etc. I will also include MadStage's URL in my list of links so that when we join and advertise through MadStage it will be easy for my readers to contact us. I also hope that we can join and support this website.
Best regards, Bill Benedict
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Restore religion to public square
Letter to the Editor
Wisconsin State Journal
As a citizen who is deeply concerned about ever growing voter apathy I found Bishop Morlino’s defense of his actions both refreshing and encouraging. With vacuous and expensive sham attack ads replacing a once vibrant political debate, it’s way past time when both right, left and mainstream religion once again join fully and vigorously in the public discourse.
In a society with ever growing political correctness both Bishop Morlino and Pope Benedict have been courageous in clearly stating doctrinal positions, for example, “there is one God…Christ Jesus” – and letting the chips fall where they may.
I become uneasy when I read that America’s religious fervor is becoming increasingly non-doctrinal and private. In such a climate differing ideas ---the heart of a vibrant democracy --- are lost from public debate.
According to religious sociologist Alan Wolfe, what increasingly matters to most Christians are not “ideas” but feelings and “having a personal relationship with Jesus.” If Pope Benedict and Bishop Morlino succeed in bringing their flocks back into the public square greater voter turnout and a richer democracy will follow.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Madison, WI
Wisconsin State Journal
As a citizen who is deeply concerned about ever growing voter apathy I found Bishop Morlino’s defense of his actions both refreshing and encouraging. With vacuous and expensive sham attack ads replacing a once vibrant political debate, it’s way past time when both right, left and mainstream religion once again join fully and vigorously in the public discourse.
In a society with ever growing political correctness both Bishop Morlino and Pope Benedict have been courageous in clearly stating doctrinal positions, for example, “there is one God…Christ Jesus” – and letting the chips fall where they may.
I become uneasy when I read that America’s religious fervor is becoming increasingly non-doctrinal and private. In such a climate differing ideas ---the heart of a vibrant democracy --- are lost from public debate.
According to religious sociologist Alan Wolfe, what increasingly matters to most Christians are not “ideas” but feelings and “having a personal relationship with Jesus.” If Pope Benedict and Bishop Morlino succeed in bringing their flocks back into the public square greater voter turnout and a richer democracy will follow.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Madison, WI
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Government Accountability Board Meeting Public Testimony
Question at Hand: The Qualifications of the new GAB’s Legal Counsel
My name is William R. Benedict and I would like to thank the members of the Government Accountability Board for allowing me to speak about the qualifications of the Board’s new legal council. As a father and grandfather who is committed to preserving our increasingly threatened democracy for future generations I consider this opportunity indeed a privilege and honor.
In addition to the formal qualifications which are already now in place for the legal council and which I clearly support, this morning I want to strongly support the need for a legal counsel devoted to clarity and pro-activeness as well as the need for a fresh face. I believe these qualities are necessary if Wisconsin is to reclaim its reputation for clean, open and accountable government.
Clarity, because enforcement is much more difficult when the general public remains uninformed, confused, fettered and disengaged from the enforcement process due to not having more complete, user friendly and readily accessible information on campaign contributions.
In a recent 2007 publication by the Brennan Center for Justice, entitled “Campaign Finance in Wisconsin” the authors report appalling Wisconsin performance results in an independent nationwide study. The investigators found the Wisconsin Election Board’s disclosure database was incomplete due to both electronic and more archaic manual reporting practices. Such incongruent and confounding information acted to make the data largely inaccessible and unusable to the public and therefore unacceptable receiving a grade of F for failing. Similarly, even when this information was presented in summary reports, the technical usability of the Board’s website was seriously lacking and received a D. Wisconsin received an overall grade of C- and was ranked twenty second for its disclosure system. This failure should no longer be tolerated.
In a very real sense the Board’s disclosure database is its number one weapon in defense of democracy in Wisconsin. The need for this information to be in user friendly form, readily accessible and transparent, complete and accurate is perhaps the Board’s number one priority. Without it, both the Board’s internal effectiveness, especially with respect to its prosecutorial function, and the public’s right to know, and its ability to engage corruption in whatever form, will remain seriously compromised.
Pro-activeness, because our previous two boards and their leadership, I believe, were too passive and indecisive, particularly in the enforcement of the Board’s laws, rules, orders and formal opinions. It should no longer be acceptable for the new Board or its legal council to continue sitting passively by, waiting for a concerned citizen or group to first gather all the evidence and file a formal complaint.
Rather the legal counsel should take the initiative and proceed when he or she believes that it is likely that a violation has occurred. Perhaps no more important corrective action could be taken to restore the public’s confidence in this new Board.
A fresh face - Most importantly, if the new GAB truly wishes to bring an end to business as usual at our capitol, the new legal council will not be encumbered with any baggage, including loyalties to previously failed practices or systems.
He or she will be a fresh face and bring along fresh ideas for insuring the integrity of Wisconsin politics. It’s clear that the old Boards and their leadership have failed and lost the confidence of the Wisconsin citizen. If the word “accountability” in the Board’s new name is to have any real credibility, it seems to me, the last thing the Board should do is retain the old leadership. When this personnel decision is viewed in the context of our recent corruption scandal along with the subsequent public disfavor and mistrust, there is no valid alternative.
Thanks again so much for allowing me to speak this morning. By your decision to hold this open public meeting you have clearly demonstrated and signaled to me and to all Wisconsin citizens that your trademark will truly be one of transparency, openness and equity. Thank you.
My name is William R. Benedict and I would like to thank the members of the Government Accountability Board for allowing me to speak about the qualifications of the Board’s new legal council. As a father and grandfather who is committed to preserving our increasingly threatened democracy for future generations I consider this opportunity indeed a privilege and honor.
In addition to the formal qualifications which are already now in place for the legal council and which I clearly support, this morning I want to strongly support the need for a legal counsel devoted to clarity and pro-activeness as well as the need for a fresh face. I believe these qualities are necessary if Wisconsin is to reclaim its reputation for clean, open and accountable government.
Clarity, because enforcement is much more difficult when the general public remains uninformed, confused, fettered and disengaged from the enforcement process due to not having more complete, user friendly and readily accessible information on campaign contributions.
In a recent 2007 publication by the Brennan Center for Justice, entitled “Campaign Finance in Wisconsin” the authors report appalling Wisconsin performance results in an independent nationwide study. The investigators found the Wisconsin Election Board’s disclosure database was incomplete due to both electronic and more archaic manual reporting practices. Such incongruent and confounding information acted to make the data largely inaccessible and unusable to the public and therefore unacceptable receiving a grade of F for failing. Similarly, even when this information was presented in summary reports, the technical usability of the Board’s website was seriously lacking and received a D. Wisconsin received an overall grade of C- and was ranked twenty second for its disclosure system. This failure should no longer be tolerated.
In a very real sense the Board’s disclosure database is its number one weapon in defense of democracy in Wisconsin. The need for this information to be in user friendly form, readily accessible and transparent, complete and accurate is perhaps the Board’s number one priority. Without it, both the Board’s internal effectiveness, especially with respect to its prosecutorial function, and the public’s right to know, and its ability to engage corruption in whatever form, will remain seriously compromised.
Pro-activeness, because our previous two boards and their leadership, I believe, were too passive and indecisive, particularly in the enforcement of the Board’s laws, rules, orders and formal opinions. It should no longer be acceptable for the new Board or its legal council to continue sitting passively by, waiting for a concerned citizen or group to first gather all the evidence and file a formal complaint.
Rather the legal counsel should take the initiative and proceed when he or she believes that it is likely that a violation has occurred. Perhaps no more important corrective action could be taken to restore the public’s confidence in this new Board.
A fresh face - Most importantly, if the new GAB truly wishes to bring an end to business as usual at our capitol, the new legal council will not be encumbered with any baggage, including loyalties to previously failed practices or systems.
He or she will be a fresh face and bring along fresh ideas for insuring the integrity of Wisconsin politics. It’s clear that the old Boards and their leadership have failed and lost the confidence of the Wisconsin citizen. If the word “accountability” in the Board’s new name is to have any real credibility, it seems to me, the last thing the Board should do is retain the old leadership. When this personnel decision is viewed in the context of our recent corruption scandal along with the subsequent public disfavor and mistrust, there is no valid alternative.
Thanks again so much for allowing me to speak this morning. By your decision to hold this open public meeting you have clearly demonstrated and signaled to me and to all Wisconsin citizens that your trademark will truly be one of transparency, openness and equity. Thank you.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Let’s Not Be Bamboozled
In order to help ensure more time for each presenter to share their proposal on the 25th, I ask that you take some time to consider the issues I raise here now : Thanks so much for the time that you have already given me. I know you are all very busy. Bill
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Now is time to set up stem-cell oversight
By William R. Benedict
Wisconsin State Journal
Guest Column
October 19, 2007
This taxpayer attended the recent Madison Plan Commission’s public hearing on the proposed new Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery.
This project is scheduled to come before our City Council on November 6th. The chosen site on the southwest end of the UW campus has been described as “an unusual marriage of public and private dollars.”
The commingling of public, non-profit and proprietary interests can be rich soil for both a “nimble” and successful collaborative race for stem-based cures and for both jobs and medical therapies for all our citizens.
However without a transparent process and proper policies and safeguards in place multiple conflicts of interest could threaten both our public treasury and trust.
Wisconsin taxpayers and all who will benefit from cell-based medical therapies deserve more than good intentions regardless of how sincere and honorable they may be. Like safe and proven architecture and construction practices, safe and proven policy and intellectual property (IP) models now also exist.
These models are specifically designed to detect and prevent special interest conflicts by groups or individuals who are sworn to serve and protect the public interest. They help to ensure that taxpayers will recoup their investment either in reduced taxes or better and more affordable or accessible health care.
Rather than relying only on the assurance of a theoretical trickle down effect in new jobs, taxpayers and their government can be assured a public benefit from funding non-profit and for profit stem sell research and therapy enterprises.
Such policies also require that grantees must sell their therapies based on reasonable pricing. Taxpayers are becoming increasingly astute and now realize that giving out “free” public money, no matter how well intended, does not result in free or reasonably priced therapies.
These public interests protections ensure that those who come to the public trough or who participate in research or biotech enterprises --- medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and all other stakeholders --- must file disclosure forms with the State of Wisconsin that become a part of the public record. Only such transparency and careful tracking of the money can help all of the actors in this wonderful venture avoid the temptation to violate the public’s trust.
A year ago this writer called for a non-profit, nonpartisan and independent citizen stem cell oversight or watchdog group here in Wisconsin. To date Wisconsin citizens largely have remained silent. It’s now time for Wisconsin citizens to step up to the plate and help meet our responsibility to future generations with family members who suffer from cell-based diseases. (My blog, http://danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com/ will be up soon! Watch for it!)
I urgently call upon our state legislature to come forward now with a policy framework which fully addresses policy and IP safeguards, public benefit requirements, transparency and disclosure practices. Lets not let Wisconsin become a “Johnny come lately” on these public safeguards without which we will surely stumble.
With our governor’s clear goal of capturing one-tenth of the stem-cell market for research and medical therapies by 2015, a new research center about to rise, and heaps of community good will and support we must not miss this opportunity for all Wisconsin citizens to succeed.
Wisconsin State Journal
Guest Column
October 19, 2007
This taxpayer attended the recent Madison Plan Commission’s public hearing on the proposed new Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery.
This project is scheduled to come before our City Council on November 6th. The chosen site on the southwest end of the UW campus has been described as “an unusual marriage of public and private dollars.”
The commingling of public, non-profit and proprietary interests can be rich soil for both a “nimble” and successful collaborative race for stem-based cures and for both jobs and medical therapies for all our citizens.
However without a transparent process and proper policies and safeguards in place multiple conflicts of interest could threaten both our public treasury and trust.
Wisconsin taxpayers and all who will benefit from cell-based medical therapies deserve more than good intentions regardless of how sincere and honorable they may be. Like safe and proven architecture and construction practices, safe and proven policy and intellectual property (IP) models now also exist.
These models are specifically designed to detect and prevent special interest conflicts by groups or individuals who are sworn to serve and protect the public interest. They help to ensure that taxpayers will recoup their investment either in reduced taxes or better and more affordable or accessible health care.
Rather than relying only on the assurance of a theoretical trickle down effect in new jobs, taxpayers and their government can be assured a public benefit from funding non-profit and for profit stem sell research and therapy enterprises.
Such policies also require that grantees must sell their therapies based on reasonable pricing. Taxpayers are becoming increasingly astute and now realize that giving out “free” public money, no matter how well intended, does not result in free or reasonably priced therapies.
These public interests protections ensure that those who come to the public trough or who participate in research or biotech enterprises --- medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and all other stakeholders --- must file disclosure forms with the State of Wisconsin that become a part of the public record. Only such transparency and careful tracking of the money can help all of the actors in this wonderful venture avoid the temptation to violate the public’s trust.
A year ago this writer called for a non-profit, nonpartisan and independent citizen stem cell oversight or watchdog group here in Wisconsin. To date Wisconsin citizens largely have remained silent. It’s now time for Wisconsin citizens to step up to the plate and help meet our responsibility to future generations with family members who suffer from cell-based diseases. (My blog, http://danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com/ will be up soon! Watch for it!)
I urgently call upon our state legislature to come forward now with a policy framework which fully addresses policy and IP safeguards, public benefit requirements, transparency and disclosure practices. Lets not let Wisconsin become a “Johnny come lately” on these public safeguards without which we will surely stumble.
With our governor’s clear goal of capturing one-tenth of the stem-cell market for research and medical therapies by 2015, a new research center about to rise, and heaps of community good will and support we must not miss this opportunity for all Wisconsin citizens to succeed.
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