DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Laws requiring U.S. schoolgirls to get Merck's STD vaccination.

**Grizli** · 02-23-2007, 01:24 AM

Texas Governor Defends Vaccine Order

newsday.com
By JOE STINEBAKER and LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON
Associated Press Writers

February 22, 2007, 5:10 PM EST

HOUSTON -- Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday angrily defended his relationship with Merck & Co. and his executive order requiring that 11- and 12-year-old girls receive the drugmaker's vaccine against the sexually transmitted cervical-cancer virus.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Perry's chief of staff had met with key aides about the vaccine on Oct. 16, the same day Merck's political action committee donated $5,000 to the governor's campaign.

Perry, touring cancer centers around the state, said the contributions were just a small share of the $24 million he raised and had no effect on his decision.

"When a company comes to me and says we have a cure for cancer, for me not to say, `Please come into my office and let's hear your story for the people of the state of Texas, for young ladies who are dying of cancer,' would be the height of irresponsibility," the Republican governor said. "Whether or not they contributed to my campaign, I would suggest to you, are some of those weeds that we are trying to cut our way through."

Pressed on when he decided to issue the Feb. 2 executive order requiring the vaccination for sixth-grade girls, Perry snapped: "I wish you all would quit splitting hairs, frankly, and get focused on are we going to be working together to find the cure for cancers. No, I can't tell you when."

In issuing the order, the governor made Texas the first state to require the vaccine Gardasil for all schoolgirls. But many lawmakers have complained about his bypassing the Legislature altogether. And the disclosure regarding the campaign contributions could add momentum to an attempt by legislators to repeal Perry's executive order.

Some GOP lawmakers said they were uncomfortable with the timing of the contributions.

"It's really a question of integrity ... whether or not his decisions were based on the contribution," state Rep. Linda Harper Brown.

The executive order has inflamed conservatives, who said it contradicts Texas' abstinence-only sexual education policies and intrudes into families' lives.

On Wednesday, before the campaign contributions became known, the state House public health committee voted 6-3 to override Perry's order and sent the bill -- co-sponsored by nearly two-thirds of state representatives -- to the full House.

The House is not expected to take up the measure until mid-March. A repeal bill has also been introduced in the Senate, with nearly half the chamber signing on.

Perry said he has not decided whether to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

"I highly respect the legislative process that we have, and so I would respectfully tell you that we will let it play its way out," he said. "But do you think we would be having the debate today on HPV if I had said, `Let's pass some legislation?'"

Critics have previously questioned Perry's ties to Merck. Mike Toomey, Perry's former chief of staff, now lobbies for the drug company. And the governor accepted a total of $6,000 from Merck during his re-election campaign.

Merck has waged a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to get state legislatures to require girls to get the three-dose vaccine to enroll in school. But on Tuesday the pharmaceutical company announced it was suspending the effort because of pressure from parents and medical groups.

Associated Press writer April Castro in Austin, Texas, and Linda A. Johnson in Trenton, N.J., contributed to this report.

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

02-23-2007, 01:24 AM	#30
Grizli Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 451 Senior Member	Texas Governor Defends Vaccine Order newsday.com By JOE STINEBAKER and LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON Associated Press Writers February 22, 2007, 5:10 PM EST HOUSTON -- Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday angrily defended his relationship with Merck & Co. and his executive order requiring that 11- and 12-year-old girls receive the drugmaker's vaccine against the sexually transmitted cervical-cancer virus. The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Perry's chief of staff had met with key aides about the vaccine on Oct. 16, the same day Merck's political action committee donated $5,000 to the governor's campaign. Perry, touring cancer centers around the state, said the contributions were just a small share of the $24 million he raised and had no effect on his decision. "When a company comes to me and says we have a cure for cancer, for me not to say, `Please come into my office and let's hear your story for the people of the state of Texas, for young ladies who are dying of cancer,' would be the height of irresponsibility," the Republican governor said. "Whether or not they contributed to my campaign, I would suggest to you, are some of those weeds that we are trying to cut our way through." Pressed on when he decided to issue the Feb. 2 executive order requiring the vaccination for sixth-grade girls, Perry snapped: "I wish you all would quit splitting hairs, frankly, and get focused on are we going to be working together to find the cure for cancers. No, I can't tell you when." In issuing the order, the governor made Texas the first state to require the vaccine Gardasil for all schoolgirls. But many lawmakers have complained about his bypassing the Legislature altogether. And the disclosure regarding the campaign contributions could add momentum to an attempt by legislators to repeal Perry's executive order. Some GOP lawmakers said they were uncomfortable with the timing of the contributions. "It's really a question of integrity ... whether or not his decisions were based on the contribution," state Rep. Linda Harper Brown. The executive order has inflamed conservatives, who said it contradicts Texas' abstinence-only sexual education policies and intrudes into families' lives. On Wednesday, before the campaign contributions became known, the state House public health committee voted 6-3 to override Perry's order and sent the bill -- co-sponsored by nearly two-thirds of state representatives -- to the full House. The House is not expected to take up the measure until mid-March. A repeal bill has also been introduced in the Senate, with nearly half the chamber signing on. Perry said he has not decided whether to veto the bill if it reaches his desk. "I highly respect the legislative process that we have, and so I would respectfully tell you that we will let it play its way out," he said. "But do you think we would be having the debate today on HPV if I had said, `Let's pass some legislation?'" Critics have previously questioned Perry's ties to Merck. Mike Toomey, Perry's former chief of staff, now lobbies for the drug company. And the governor accepted a total of $6,000 from Merck during his re-election campaign. Merck has waged a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to get state legislatures to require girls to get the three-dose vaccine to enroll in school. But on Tuesday the pharmaceutical company announced it was suspending the effort because of pressure from parents and medical groups. Associated Press writer April Castro in Austin, Texas, and Linda A. Johnson in Trenton, N.J., contributed to this report. Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
	Quote