State Budget Could Include Funds for Biomedicine Research
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Dec. 27, 2006, released a plan to include $95 million in the state budget for research projects addressing biomedicine, computer science and alternative energy, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
State officials said research on biomedicine, nanotechnology and information technology projects could have commercial implications. Such projects would receive $20 million under the governor's plan (Chorneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 12/28/06).
The Los Angeles Times reports that the proposed research funding could yield research that companies could use to develop new pharmaceuticals (Halper, Los Angeles Times, 12/28/06).
The proposal calls for $70 million to be drawn through lease-revenue bonds that the Legislature could approve. The remaining $25 million would come from the state general fund (Benson, Sacramento Bee, 12/28/06).
Some advocates for low-income state residents have said that the proposal could reduce available funds for health care programs and social services (Los Angeles Times, 12/28/06).