Free Republic

Codey to push stem cells in State of State Acting governor seeking $500 million investment Tuesday, January 04, 2005 Acting Gov. Richard Codey plans to propose investing $500 million in stem cell research as a key component of the State of the State speech he will deliver next week, according to two administration officials and a state lawmaker.Codey, who has long championed stem cell research, believes the move is necessary for New Jersey to stay competitive with California, which approved a $3 billion bond issue for stem cell research last fall.The money would help fund the Stem Cell Institute of...

Despite talk of a fiscal crisis and this week's state budget wrangling by legislative leaders, lawmakers found room for a record $370 million for pet projects in their home districts. The $27.9 billion state budget includes a long list of "legislative additions" that suggest it's Christmas in July at the Statehouse. The projects are therefore known as "Christmas tree" items, and they are spread all over the state. The Newark School of Business at Rutgers University and St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson each get an extra $18 million. Lawmakers scrounged up another $1.5 million for Battleship New Jersey in Camden....