By Jennifer Mesko, Associate Editor, CITIZENLINK, 11-7-2007

N.J. Voters Turn Down Destructive Embryonic Stem-Cell Research and Human Cloning Research Plan

-- New Jersey voters turned down a 10-year, $450 million bond proposal on Tuesday that included funding for destructive embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning. The ballot question was defeated 53 percent to 47 percent.

"Taxpayers have sent a clear message to state officials that they do not want their money going toward unproven and unethical forms of stem-cell research," said Dawn Vargo, associate bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine had poured $150,000 of his own money into the campaign, according to news reports.

-- Maine rejects slot machines

Maine voters defeated a measure to allow slot machines at a racetrack in the state's easternmost county. The "racino" question, sent to voters through a citizen initiative led by the Passamaquoddy Tribe, proposed doubling to 3,000 the number of slot machines in the state.

The proposal has been turned back by three gubernatorial vetoes in two years, the Associated Press reports.

"You can dress up gambling, spend millions on public appeal and buy favor with state officials," said Chad Hills, analyst for gambling research and policy at Focus on the Family Action, "but you cannot hide the stench of gambling addiction, crime, bankruptcy and destroyed lives. Mainers saw through the fog and voted to protect families and their future."

-- Mississippi re-elects pro-life governor

Mississippi Republican Gov. Haley Barbour easily won a second term, beating out Democratic lawyer John Arthur Eaves Jr.

"We will keep doing what is right rather than trying to hold a finger in the wind and see which way the political wind is blowing," said Barbour, 60, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

In March, Barbour signed a bill that would prohibit abortions in the state should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. The bill also requires abortion businesses to allow women considering an abortion to see an ultrasound beforehand.

-- Michigan town keeps Nativity off city property

Voters in Berkley, Mich., won't let Baby Jesus return to the lawn of City Hall this Christmas.

For 25 years, a Nativity scene had sat on public property. Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union intervened, and the crèche was moved to a local church. Fifty-five percent of voters agreed with the decision.

-- Utah rejects school-choice program

A landmark school-choice plan that would have provided $500 to $3,000 per student for private education was rejected by Utah voters. Referendum 1 would have been the most comprehensive school-choice program in the nation. It was the first such school-choice election in the U.S. since 2000.

Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, called the outcome disappointing.

"However, it's important to keep in mind the tremendous money and manpower that unions like the National Education Association (NEA) have poured into defeating school-choice scholarships," she said. "The unions don't want any competition. And the only way to overcome the NEA's strong-arm tactics is for parents across the nation to start becoming educated on this issue and make their voices heard — to demand that they be given the power to make educational choices for their children."