New Jersey Ready to Pay for Stem Cell Research...

Philadelphia Inquirer reports that

After almost two years of maneuvering, lawmakers are poised to approve a $500 million plan aimed at making New Jersey a national leader in stem-cell research. The effort to fund the controversial embryonic work was a centerpiece of Gov. Richard J. Codey's short administration but failed to win wide legislative support.

The plan is to spend $150 million on a stem-cell research facility in New Brunswick, $50 million on a research building in Newark, and $50 million to construct a Systems Biology Institute in downtown Camden. It would also give $10 million to each of two North Jersey blood-collection and research facilities. Voters would be asked to approve borrowing $230 million to fund stem-cell research grants for the scientists working in those buildings.