By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Arguments were heard today in Jefferson City over whether separate trust fund lawsuits should be thrown out.
Some opponents fear one of the suits could direct Missouri revenues to fund stem cell research.
The two lawsuits, if successful, would order state lawmakers to increase payments to life sciences and to the Kansas City symphony.
Attorney Dick Miller represents the plaintiffs in both cases.
He says the life sciences case involves tobacco settlement money.
"25% of that money (is) under the statute...the statute says that money shall be used for medical research...that's the purpose of it, is to try to use the money to make the state of Missouri a research center," Miller said.
Attorneys for the state asked Cole County Judge Richard Callahan to dismiss both cases, arguing that lawmakers have discretion when it comes to budgeting the state's money.
Ed Martin with the group Missouri Roundtable for Life supports the state's efforts to have the suits tossed out.
"If Mr. Miller's side wins, he is saying that money must every year go into the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund, and by extension, at least, his clients seem to be arguing towards research that may be objectionable to Missourians," Martin said.
A decision from Judge Callahan is expected in early September.
Martin is the former Chief of Staff to Governor Matt Blunt.