Governor Henry has until 11:59PM Wednesday night to decide whether to veto House Bill 1326. While scientists all over the state, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for both of the cities in the state that count, have been advocating that he do just that, it may not matter. The bill, which bans embryonic stem cell research in the state, passed the house 82-6 and the senate 38-9. Assuming a horde of legislators do not rush to the other side, the veto will be overridden.
House Bill 1326 not only bans state funding of embryonic stem cell research, but makes it a crime to conduct any research within the state using stem cells mined from discarded embryos. Said bill sponsor Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City):