Minnesota Independent

Somatic cell nuclear transfer. Image: YouTube

‘Cloning’ ban proponents muddle facts in stem cell debate

By Andy Birkey | 03.28.11 | 4:33 pm

Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, is adamant that a certain kind of stem cell research be banned. Her bill to criminalize somatic cell nuclear transfer was included in the health and human services omnibus bill currently under debate in the Senate, and she was successful in getting a weaker ban included in the higher education omnibus bill. The proposal has sparked a heated debate about whether the bill — and the testimony surrounding it — is misleading to the public on the topic of embryonic stem cell research. Republicans, however, have rejected an effort to clarify the debate.

Recount’s might’ve-been-savior is herself a recount survivor

By Chris Steller | 12.26.08 | 3:00 pm

Had state Sen. Kathy Sheran’s bill to reform absentee voting dodged Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto pen last year, it might have spared Minnesota at least some of the agony of the current statewide recount. Sheran has denied foreknowledge that the outcome of Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race this year would hang on absentee ballots. Now she tells the Minnesota Independent that her reform effort also wasn’t inspired by a recount involving a contested absentee ballot in her first race 24 years ago. That story is told in government meeting minutes that are — amazingly — available online going back more than 50 years at the City of Mankato Web site. But proximity to the state’s most dramatic recounts seems to run in the family for Sheran, whose father was a longtime justice on the state Supreme Court.

‘Freedom to Breathe’ Act Clears Minnesota Senate

By Leigh Pomeroy | 03.28.07 | 11:11 am

House action yet to come
State Sen. Kathy Sheran, D-Mankato, entered the Minnesota Legislature just this past January. It was an experience that must have been like a bird pushed from the nest and told to fly. For she…

New Lawmaker Leads on Smoking Ban Bill

By Leigh Pomeroy | 01.26.07 | 6:52 pm

Four months ago Prof. Kathy Sheran was teaching classes in the School of Nursing at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and running for the Minnesota State Senate. Today she is Sen. Kathy Sheran (D-Mankato) and one of the chief…