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Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal includes nearly $500 million in spending from the proceeds of California's first-in-the-nation cap-and-trade program, but the plan is raising questions about whether the governor is using the new money to cut the budget deficit instead of promoting new greenhouse-gas-reducing programs. The controversial cap-andtrade program essentially puts a price on carbon emissions by limiting the amount of CO2 that can be produced by the state's largest polluters. They have to purchase credits from the state to cover the amount of carbon emitted. While the program went into effect Jan. 1, the state's first auction to sell...

After six years, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has faced questions about leaders' pay and the lack of medical breakthroughs. But its chairman plans to ask voters for another $3 billion in bonds. When millionaire Silicon Valley real estate developer Bob Klein launched his ballot drive to create a $3-billion state fund for stem-cell research in 2004, he pitched it as a way of taking politics out of science and focusing on cures. One particularly heartbreaking campaign ad showed former big screen Superman Christopher Reeve paralyzed in a wheelchair, struggling for breath and imploring California voters to "stand up...

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced his opposition to a property rights initiative on the November ballot, but his Democratic opponent is questioning why it took him so long to decide. Up for re-election, the Republican governor had withheld his opinion of Proposition 90, which has been championed by conservatives in his party but criticized by environmental groups whose support Schwarzenegger has also sought. A spokesman for state treasurer Phil Angelides, Brian Brokaw, said the governor “had to be repeatedly prodded to take a position” on the ballot measure. “Phil Angelides never hesitated to oppose Prop. 90 and the...

To the dismay of some advocates for the disabled and sick, a draft report issued today by California's $3 billion stem-cell institute says the agency is unlikely to develop cures for diseases or other ailments any time soon. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's proposed strategic plan, written by a group that included two Nobel scientists, methodically sets out a detailed blueprint for eventually turning stem cells into treatments for a variety of health problems. But the plan -- which must be approved by the institute's board -- cautions that stem cell science remains in its infancy and that much...

HAYWARD — California's $3 billion, voter-approved stem cell institute went on trial Monday as opponents sought to invalidate the program on grounds that it operates outside state control. The institute violates conflict of interest rules governing state agencies and its officials are not acting in the best interest of taxpayers, attorneys representing taxpayer groups said in opening statements in Alameda County Superior Court. "This agency as it is currently created is not responsive to the people," said David Llewellyn, attorney for the California Family Bioethics Council, one of the groups bringing the suit. Voters in November 2004 approved Proposition 71,...

As a South Korean scientist defends against mounting accusations that he falsified evidence in a breakthrough stem cell study, researchers in California said the controversy has caused significant damage to a promising and fledgling field. Doubts about Hwang Woo-suk's claims that he cloned human cells to create embryonic stem cells have made scientists wonder whether the prospect might remain elusive for years. Researchers and doctors hope to use this process to genetically tailor stem cells for patients suffering from such diseases as Parkinson's, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. "It's a black eye on the whole world of science," Richard Murphy, president...

Gov. Shwarzeneggar expected to make announcement on Tookie Williams Execution Clemency shortly according to Fox News.

The billion dollars in royalties that voters were told could flow to the state if they passed California's $3 billion stem cell research funding initiative in 2004 may turn into an empty promise. Researchers and business groups are raising a host of reasons the state should claim no portion of the revenue from inventions produced under the stem cell program created by Proposition 71. For one thing, they say, requiring that the state get a share would hinder work toward disease cures by removing some of the incentive for private investors. But perhaps their strongest argument is that the state...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have added an audit requirement and egg-donor protections to the California stem cell program created by Proposition 71 in November's election. The measure, SB18, was sponsored by Sens. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, and George Runner, R-Lancaster (Los Angeles County). It was approved 28-0 in the Senate and 72-2 in the Assembly. In a veto message, the governor said he supported the main provisions of the bill but found it to be "in direct conflict" with a provision in Prop. 71 barring amendments until 2008. The measure drew most attention for proposed rules...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Endorses Prop 71Republican Governor Joins Effort to Fund Stem Cell Research Stating Initiative Furthers California's Position as World's Global Leader in the Bio-Tech Industry LOS ANGELES, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has joined a broad, diverse and growing coalition of business groups, elected officials, medical organizations and patient groups in endorsing a YES vote on Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, on the November 2 statewide ballot. Prop 71 will support stem cell research at California hospitals, medical schools and universities, to develop lifesaving therapies and cures for diseases that could...

Unable to sell bonds to finance California's $3 billion stem cell initiative, the state treasurer's office is trying an unprecedented new approach. With any bond sale delayed by lawsuits over the initiative, the new plan is to issue "bond anticipation notes" that the state would repay if it wins the legal challenges and is able to issue actual bonds. Treasurer Phil Angelides and the committee overseeing the state's stem cell program see the notes as a unique and legally sound way to generate the money to start awarding stem cell research grants this year. But the plan leaves some consumer...

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco officials were elated that the city beat out 16 other California cities to become the headquarters of the new $3-billion, state-funded stem cell institute. But their elation was tempered by news that litigation is blocking bonds from being issued to fund the institute. A motion filed by a pro-life advocacy group on behalf of two successful tax limitation citizen groups could stall or even stop the money from being given out. The motion, filed by Life Legal Defense Foundation April 6 on behalf of People's Advocate and the National Tax Limitation Foundation, contended it is...

There probably wasn't much reason to hope that California's new embryonic stem cell institute, the offspring of perhaps the most misleading initiative campaign of 2004, would be a model of circumspection and openness as it geared up to spend $6 billion of taxpayers' money. But did it have to live down to our expectations so quickly? In the months since its creation by Proposition 71 on last November's ballot, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has behaved not like the state agency it is, but with the arrogance of a private corporation that happens to be playing with the taxpayers'...

California officials conceded Monday that a legal challenge has severely hampered the ability of the state's stem cell agency to borrow even a penny of the $3 billion in research money it had hoped to raise over the next 10 years. Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Treasurer Phil Angelides said their offices are aggressively fighting the lawsuit while pursuing alternative ways for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to borrow money to fund medical research. "But we have a hard road to go here," Angelides said in Sacramento during a teleconference with reporters. Angelides is a member of a special...

SACRAMENTO -- In a blow to the city's prestige and economy, Los Angeles' last-minute bid to become home to the state's new $3 billion stem cell research agency failed to meet two minimum requirements Tuesday as four other cities made the short list of finalists. San Francisco, San Diego, Emeryville and Sacramento were selected by the staff of the site-search committee for the location of the new California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will award grants and oversee the state's unique stem cell research program approved by voters last year. The committee will take up the recommendation today. Bid evaluators...

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed two lawsuits that sought to block the state's publicly financed $3 billion stem cell research program approved by voters last year. The court's unanimous decision, however, does not rule out the possibility that a lower state court could get involved in the matter, a lawyer for one of the plaintiffs said. "It's highly likely that some form of action in a lower court will be brought," said David Llewellyn, a Sacramento lawyer representing Californians for Public Accountability and Ethical Science, a nonprofit group. California had been unable to sell the initial bonds to...

Suit Filed to Invalidate Calif's $3 Billion Stem Cell InstituteBy Paul Elias The Associated Press Published: Feb 22, 2005 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A politically conservative public interest group filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to invalidate the $3 billion stem cell research funding institution California voters approved in November. The lawsuit alleges that provisions in Proposition 71 exempting members of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine from some government conflict-of-interest laws are illegal. The suit also alleges that the ballot language violated a California election law that requires each proposition to address a single subject. Proposition 71 was supported by...

SAN FRANCISCO — Last fall, a group of pioneering scientists, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs sold Californians on the ultimate startup, one with shoot-for-the-moon ambitions. The men and women pitched the state's residents on a new science that they said might one day lead to cures for humankind's worst diseases. "Save Lives with Stem Cells!" campaign posters urged. Today, however, a little more than three months after state voters approved a measure allocating $3 billion in public funds for stem cell and related research, organizers are struggling with more down-to-earth concerns. The initiative has been tainted by accusations that those who...

LOS ANGELES – The committee that will dole out $3 billion in state grants for stem cell research heard yesterday from critics and some of its own members who said the group should slow down in its race to get money to scientists. As the committee met for the second time, one of the overriding messages from the public and some of the committee members was to start by establishing standards for complicated and weighty issues such as how to reimburse taxpayers for their investment. "No one wants results to come back faster than I do," said committee member Joan...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Complaints are mounting that a newly created California stem cell agency has failed to keep the public informed of its actions as it begins doling out $3 billion in taxpayer-provided grants. Still others complain the agency hasn't developed rules to prevent its managers from unjustly enriching themselves and their employers. Many of the 29 board members, appointed by the governor and other elected officials to run the agency, represent research universities and the biotechnology industry, both of which are expected to win millions of dollars worth of grants. The criticism picked up this week as the...