CGS-authored
All it would take is one major scandal, some sign of mismanagement or ethical lapse, and Californians' trust -- and $6 billion investment -- in stem-cell research could be permanently damaged. That is why it is critical we ensure that safeguards are in place at the beginning of California's historic quest for cures for debilitating and life-threatening diseases and afflictions.
In approving Proposition 71 in November, voters entrusted not only their hopes for cures, but also their pocketbooks. Senate Constitutional Amendment 13, authored by State Sens. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, and George Runner, R- Lancaster (Los Angeles County), strengthens Prop. 71 by authorizing public oversight of the billions in spending of taxpayer dollars.
SCA 13 will plug gaps in Prop. 71 that threaten to undermine public confidence. Although well intentioned, Prop. 71 lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure public accountability in three key areas. SCA 13 addresses those by limiting exemptions from open-meetings laws for members of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, which oversees implementation of Prop. 71, and the working groups, which will make recommendations on which projects to fund. SCA...
In approving Proposition 71 in November, voters entrusted not only their hopes for cures, but also their pocketbooks. Senate Constitutional Amendment 13, authored by State Sens. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, and George Runner, R- Lancaster (Los Angeles County), strengthens Prop. 71 by authorizing public oversight of the billions in spending of taxpayer dollars.
SCA 13 will plug gaps in Prop. 71 that threaten to undermine public confidence. Although well intentioned, Prop. 71 lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure public accountability in three key areas. SCA 13 addresses those by limiting exemptions from open-meetings laws for members of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, which oversees implementation of Prop. 71, and the working groups, which will make recommendations on which projects to fund. SCA...