Sam Spade's San Francisco

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Lewman Sabraw will decide the fate of the nation's most ambitious stem cell research agency. Written closing arguments were filed Wednesday during a court case that challenged the legality of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, headquartered in San Francisco.

The Institute was formed after voters approved Prop 71, but has been unable to start work due to a lawsuit by conservatives. A decision is expected to be handed down by Judge Sabraw soon.

Despite Governor Schwarzenegger's support of Prop 71, he has been noticeably silent on the lawsuit. It is worth noting that some of the Governor's biggest special election backers are behind it.

The Steve Westly campaign has prepared a petition letter that demands Governor Schwarzenegger publicly call on the plaintiffs to drop their lawsuit. If the plaintiffs lose the decision they will likely appeal, but are less likely to do so if the Governor publicly denounces the suit and asks them to do drop it.

Please sign the petition and urge the Governor to stick to his earlier promises. You will find the petition here.