California Stem Cell Program to go Under the Microscope
Posted by Jesse Reynolds October 1, 2008
Biopolitical Times
The governance of our state's $3 billion stem cell research program will finally face some long-overdue scrutiny. The biggest problem with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is that it is fundamentally unaccountable. Although it spends taxpayer dollars, CIRM's leadership doesn't report to any elected official, as it has its own dedicated stream of funding and governing board members can't be removed.
But a state governmental reform commission will examine the CIRM's "governance and transparency." The oddly-named Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan standing advisory body that "promotes efficiency and effectiveness in state programs." The Commission generally instigates its own investigations, but in this case, it is taking its cue from the Legislature. A bill passed that called on the Commission to review CIRM's governance, but was just vetoed. However, the Commission picked up on the message.
This is a positive development. Proposition 71, which created the CIRM, established a very high bar for legislative reform. A report from the Commission could catalyze action in the Statehouse, and provide some necessary political cover. This is all the more important, as the CIRM increasingly appears to be the personal fiefdom of board chairman Robert Klein.
But a state governmental reform commission will examine the CIRM's "governance and transparency." The oddly-named Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan standing advisory body that "promotes efficiency and effectiveness in state programs." The Commission generally instigates its own investigations, but in this case, it is taking its cue from the Legislature. A bill passed that called on the Commission to review CIRM's governance, but was just vetoed. However, the Commission picked up on the message.
This is a positive development. Proposition 71, which created the CIRM, established a very high bar for legislative reform. A report from the Commission could catalyze action in the Statehouse, and provide some necessary political cover. This is all the more important, as the CIRM increasingly appears to be the personal fiefdom of board chairman Robert Klein.