SPINAL CORD INJURIES: Traffic Fines Would Fund Research

      Assemblyman John Dutra (D-Fremont) introduced a bill Tuesday that would add a $15 surcharge to all traffic moving violations to help fund research for spinal cord injuries. The San Jose Mercury News reports that most spinal cord injuries are caused by auto accidents. Dutra believes his bill, which cleared the Assembly Health Committee Tuesday, "could bring in more than $17 million for spinal cord research, which could in turn boost the state's biotech industries." The bill, AB 750, is named after Roman Reed, a college football player who was paralyzed when he broke his neck during a game (Moreno, 4/7). "This is a very worthy bill. It will provide much needed research," Dutra said. The Fremont Argus reports that 35,000 paralyzed people live in California, which spends about $60 million each year for the care of the newly injured (McKinley, 4/7).