MEDIA ADVISORY Trial Set For Monday 2/27 In Alameda County Superiour Court For Suit Delaying Stem Cell Bond Issuance

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On Monday, February 27, 2006, Judge Bonnie Lewman Sabraw will open a bench trial to hear arguments concerning a consolidated bond validation action challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 71, the voter-approved stem cell research program (People’s Advocate and National Tax Limitation Foundation v. Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, case # HG05206766).

WHO: • Judge Bonnie Lewman Sabraw, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
           • Tamar Pachter, Deputy Attorney General of California, representing CIRM.
           • James Harrison, Remcho, Johannsen & Purcell, Special Counsel to CIRM
           • Dana Cody, Life Legal Defense Foundation, representing the People’s Advocate and National Tax Limitation
              Foundation
           • David Llewellyn, representing the California Family Bioethics Council

WHAT: Opening arguments and trial on the consolidated bond validation action challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 71, passed by more than 59% of California voters in 2004 to create the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and fund stem cell research in California.

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 2006 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

WHERE: Hayward Hall of Justice 24405 Amador Street Hayward, CA 94544

WHY: Judge Sabraw will hear arguments on a consolidated bond validation action brought by The People’s Advocate, the National Tax Limitation Foundation, and the California Family Bioethics Council that challenges the constitutionality of Proposition 71. In her November 29 decision denying motions for judgment on the pleadings, Judge Sabraw recognized the Court’s “solemn duty to uphold an initiative, resolving all doubts in its favor, unless its unconstitutionality clearly, positively, and unmistakably appears.” A ruling on the case is expected this spring.

For more information regarding CIRM, please visit www.cirm.ca.gov.

 

CIRM Contact: Nicole Pagano
  (415) 396-9100