CGS-authored
A day after President Bush's veto, the governor orders a $150-million loan to kick-start research now stalled by litigation.
SAN FRANCISCO _ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday ordered a loan of up to $150 million to the state's voter-approved stem cell research institute, catapulting California into the lead as the nation's top public funder of the divisive research.
The governor's action, a day after President Bush vetoed expanded federal support for embryonic stem cell science, is expected to kick-start the state's long-delayed program to pay for cutting-edge research projects.
"We can no longer afford to wait to fund this important research," Schwarzenegger wrote in a letter that directed his finance director to make the loan. "I remain committed to advancing stem cell research in California, in the promise it holds for millions of our citizens who suffer from chronic diseases and injuries that could be helped as a result of stem cell research."
Schwarzenegger's decision, which drew praise from research advocates but was derided as a political stunt by opponents, comes with some financial risk for the state.
In 2004...
SAN FRANCISCO _ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday ordered a loan of up to $150 million to the state's voter-approved stem cell research institute, catapulting California into the lead as the nation's top public funder of the divisive research.
The governor's action, a day after President Bush vetoed expanded federal support for embryonic stem cell science, is expected to kick-start the state's long-delayed program to pay for cutting-edge research projects.
"We can no longer afford to wait to fund this important research," Schwarzenegger wrote in a letter that directed his finance director to make the loan. "I remain committed to advancing stem cell research in California, in the promise it holds for millions of our citizens who suffer from chronic diseases and injuries that could be helped as a result of stem cell research."
Schwarzenegger's decision, which drew praise from research advocates but was derided as a political stunt by opponents, comes with some financial risk for the state.
In 2004...