CellNEWS_California Proposition 71

Home \| Archive \| Links \| Join Discussion! \| Send Message \| About CellNEWS

Schwarzenegger Backs Proposition 71
Monday, October 18, 2004

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed a ballot measure on Monday that would spend up to $3 billion in state money on stem cell research.

"I am, of course, a supporter of stem cell research. Research that we do now holds the promise of cures for tomorrow," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

"We are the world's bio-tech leader and Prop. 71 will help ensure that we maintain that position while saving lives in the process."

Proposition 71 would spend $3 billion of California state money funded through bonds on stem-cell research and use another $3 billion to finance the interest payments over 30 years.

Recent polls suggest that California voters will pass the initiative on Nov 2.

A stem-cell boom could also raise tax revenues for the state over time, Schwarzenegger said.

"If you look at the high-tech boom in the Silicon Valley as an example, you know that had billions of dollars of impact on state revenue and certainly you want to preserve California's position for this oncoming industry."

"I hope it will win so that eventually 10 years from now or 15 years from now, people will be safe from those terrible illnesses," Schwarzenegger said of Proposition 71, according to LA Times reporters.

Source:
Schwarzenegger Backs Calif. Stem Cell Initiative.
Reuters - Mon Oct 18, 2004 08:26 PM ET
Maverick Schwarzenegger Backs Stem Cell Study.
LA Times - 8:38 PM PDT, October 18, 2004

L.
Ed.
CellNEWS
04-10-19

California Chamber of Commerce Endorses Proposition 71
State Chamber Is Latest Business Leader to Cite Potential for Economic Growth
Tuesday, 14 September 2004

The California Chamber of Commerce has joined with a broad and growing coalition of business groups, patient advocates and medical organisations in endorsing a "YES" vote on Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, on the November 2004 state-wide ballot.

"Proposition 71 provides a great opportunity to improve California's economy by creating thousands of new jobs, reducing health care costs and generating new revenues for our state," said Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce.

"California's economy is on the road to recovery," added Zaremberg. "This investment will provide significant benefits and should be made now."

Prop 71 will also ensure California remains an unparalleled research location. The state is home to many of the nation's top medical and research institutions, including but not limited to University of California at San Francisco, Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Irvine, University of California at Los Angeles, University of California at San Diego, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, Scripps Research Institute, City of Hope, Children’s Hospital of California, Cedars-Sinai, Caltech and the Burnham Institute. Along with the state's forward-thinking entrepreneurial base, this existing infrastructure gives California the natural capacity to lead the world in the cutting-edge field of stem cell research.

The California Chamber of Commerce joins a broad and diverse coalition of grassroots supporters, patient advocacy groups, and organisations supporting specific diseases as well as business organisations and local political leaders.

(The California Chamber of Commerce is the largest broad-based business advocate to the government in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. Leveraging our front-line knowledge of laws and regulations, we provide products and services to help businesses comply with both federal and state law. The California Chamber, a not-for-profit organisation, promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California's economy and create jobs. More information about California Chamber of Commerce can be found at http://www.calchamber.com.)

Source: Press release from Californians for Stem Cell Research .

L.
Ed.
CellNEWS
04-09-14

Growing Support for California’s Proposition 71
US Senator Dianne Feinstein Joins a Broad Bipartisan Coalition Supporting Measure to Fund Stem Cell Research
Thursday, 09 September 2004

Supporters of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, today announced that United States Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has endorsed the measure, adding to a growing, broad and diverse coalition mobilising to ensure passage of Prop. 71 on the November 2004 state-wide ballot.

US Senator Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA).

"Proposition 71 will help speed the pace of cures for such devastating diseases as diabetes, Parkinson's, and cancer as well as provide an economic boost to California's biotech sector, creating jobs and ensuring that California remains the hub of medical innovation and breakthrough therapies," said Senator Feinstein.

"I am pleased and proud to add my support for Proposition 71."

Prop. 71 would provide funds needed for the development of lifesaving therapies and cures for diseases that could save the lives of millions of California children and adults, reduce state health care costs and provide a boost to regional economies and the state at large. Scientists believe that stem cell research holds the promise for treating devastating medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's Disease, spinal cord injuries, and more than 70 other diseases and conditions.

Prop. 71 authorises tax-free state bonds that will provide an average of $295 million per year over ten years to support stem cell research at California's universities, medical schools and research facilities. These bonds will be self-financing during the first five years, with no cost to the state's general fund during this period of economic recovery.

Senator Feinstein is the newest member in a growing, bipartisan coalition of some of California's most prominent elected officials supporting Prop 71. Earlier this week, George Shultz, former Secretary of State and economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan, also announced his support of Prop 71. Shultz, a leading economic expert and fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, praised the measure for its fiscal safeguards and potential to boost California's economy. Senator Feinstein joins her colleague, US Senator Barbara Boxer, and more than 100 California elected officials at the federal, state and local levels supporting the initiative.

The coalition of grassroots supporters also includes Nobel Prize-winning scientists and medical experts, business leaders and groups, faith-based organisations, families involved in patient advocacy and efforts to cure diseases. Several organisations also support the initiative, like the Alzheimer's Association California Council, California Medical Association, American Nurses Association of California, American Diabetes Association, Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, Project ALS, Parkinson's Action Network, California Congress of Seniors, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Gray Panthers and the National Coalition for Cancer Research (NCCR).

More information about and a complete list of Proposition 71 supporters can be found at http://www.YesOn71.com.

Source: Press release from Californians for Stem Cell Research .

L.
Ed.
CellNEWS
04-09-09

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws