Some States Propose Funding Stem Cell Research To Compete With California, Retain Researchers

Following California voters' approval of Proposition 71 in November, some states are "chasing California in the competition for talent, money and recognition" in stem cell research, the New York Times reports. Descriptions of some states' proposals to fund stem cell research appear below.

• Connecticut: Gov. Jodi Rell (R) has called for $10 million to $20 million in state funding for stem cell research.
  
  
• Illinois: The state Legislature is considering a proposed tax on elective cosmetic surgery to fund stem cell research. According to the Times, the proposal would raise about $100 million annually.
  
  
• New Jersey: Former Gov. James McGreevey (D) has made his state the first to commit public funds to stem cell research, winning legislative approval for $9.5 million to fund such research. The state "has an advantage, even over California, in its timetable," with construction of the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey -- a centralized organization affiliated with Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey -- scheduled to begin this summer and recruitment of 150 researchers to staff the institute under way, according to the Times. In addition, acting Gov. Richard Codey (D) last week proposed spending $380 million on stem cell research (Mansnerus, New York Times, 1/17).
  
  
• New York: State Senate Democrats on Sunday announced legislation that would commit $1 billion to fund stem cell research, according to the Times. A proposed stem cell institute would regulate research and make loans and grants. Gov. George Pataki (R) has not expressed an opinion on the proposal (McIntire, New York Times, 1/17).
  
  
• Wisconsin: Gov. James Doyle (D) has pledged $375 million for a biomedical research institute, which would include stem cell research (Mansnerus, New York Times, 1/17).