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Eight months after state officials broke ground on New Jersey's new center for stem cell research, the once-heralded $150 million project has quietly been put on indefinite hold. Despite continuing assurances that the 18-story tower in New Brunswick would remain on track -- even after voters rejected proposals last year to finance $450 million in stem cell science grants -- state officials behind the scenes pulled back millions in construction funding for the research facility late last year. They now acknowledge they are re-evaluating the entire project. Gov. Jon Corzine said the project is in limbo and could not offer...

Gov. Jon Corzine may shelve construction of four of the five stem cell research labs lawmakers authorized last year, according to a senior administration official. With the state's stem cell ambitions cooled by last week's defeat of a $450 million bond question to fund the research, Corzine himself would only say he is "reviewing" the lab construction program the Legislature approved separately. Under legislation passed last year, the state is authorized to borrow up to $270 million to build five stem cell research labs across the state. The centerpiece, a $150 million Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey in New...

In New Jersey, which bills itself as the medicine cabinet of the nation, the potentially lucrative stem cell research race has gone off with both a bang and a whimper. Just 14 months ago, James E. McGreevey, then the governor, signed a bill to establish the nation's first state-supported stem research institute, proclaiming, over the objections of Roman Catholic bishops, that the frontiers of medical science should not be hemmed in by politics. Earlier in the year, New Jersey had become the second state in the nation, after California, to pass a law specifically legalizing embryonic stem cell research. Acting...

N.J.'s big-bucks experiment Sunday, June 19, 2005 Series archive: Betting on BiotechFirst of four partsWith little fanfare and no direct approval of the electorate, the state of New Jersey has spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting the biotech industry.Powerful forces are hard at work in Trenton, selling biotechnology as a way to simultaneously bolster the state economy and improve the health of citizens. Acting Governor Codey has been front and center, promoting a plan to spend $380 million more on research into embryonic stem cells.Much is at stake in a state where 200,000 jobs depend on the pharmaceutical industry...

Trenton, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- Frustrated that the state legislature hasn't acted faster in getting a stem cell research bill approved, Gov. Jon Corzine said Monday he would use the bully pulpit of his office to press for its passage. Corzine said the bills have stalled because "the legislative process has the ability to tie it up in knots." The governor called it "unconscionable," according to a Star-Ledger news report, that New Jersey political leaders have "sat on our hands" on the legislation. He indicated the state would fall behind others like Maryland and California if the measure wasn't approved soon....

UMDNJ lobbyist may face conflict Christy Davis-Jackson was hired last August to serve as a $156,000 vice president and full-time legislative lobbyist for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.While on the public payroll, though, Davis-Jackson continues to be registered with the state as a private lobbyist representing business clients that include a casino industry association - an outside interest that UMDNJ officials said would violate their conflict-of-interest policy.UMDNJ on Thursday said Davis-Jackson reported to them in August that she had "discontinued her interest" in her firm - Davis & Partners LLC on Halsey Street in Newark. But...

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...

November 11, 2004   Dear Pro-Life Friends:   Today's Star Ledger article (link below) reports that state debt grew $12 billion during McGreevey's three years in office.  This article appeared one day after two researchers appeared at a Press Conference in Trenton lobbying for an additional  $1 billion bond issue for the NJ Stem Cell Institute.   Please read my press release which can be found below the link to the Star Ledger article.   Contact your two state Assembly members and State Senator and urge them to oppose this bond scheme as well as any proposal to continue taxpayer funding in the budget for the NJ...

...New Jersey Governor James McGreevey isn't wavering from his decision to stay on the job until November 15, despite bipartisan calls for him to step down immediately so that an election for his replacement can be held this year. On the current course, Senate President and fellow Democrat Richard Codey will succeed him as acting Governor, and New Jersey will avoid a special election in which voters might demonstrate their displeasure with the way they have been treated. Now comes a story in The Hudson Reporter that Mr. Codey is likely to name Mr. McGreevey as head of the state's...

Contact Info. for those out of state is at the bottom of this post, you can contact the: stem cell institute, gov. mcgreevey, and the NJ State Democrap and Republican Chairs. We have just learned that Governor Jim McGreevey may be seeking employment at the NJ Stem Cell Institute when he leaves office. Please read the Press Release below.  Please contact your two NJ state Assembly Members and your State Senator to express your outrage at this prospect.  Seek assurances that your lawmakers will do everything in their power to block this effort. To find out who your legislators are, you can...