Rep. Hardcastle said “the best way to pass a law in Texas is to attach it as an amendment to another bill.” That’s why he’s on the lookout for any “amendments” that would ban embryonic stem cell research at state universities. Hardcastle has multiple sclerosis and is going to Costa Rica in September for a stem cell burst treatment. He hopes treatments like these will come to the U.S. soon, as his daughter has a 50% chance of getting the disease as well.

He has a tough fight, however. Sen. Ogden would only tell me he’s negotiating with House members on the budget conference committee to keep his rider that bans any state money being used for the research.