Legislature isn't so busy that it couldn't weigh research idea
Aug 20, 2007, 09:52
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"We only have so many days on the calendar," is not a reasonable excuse for deciding not to take up major legislation sought by the governor. One can agree or disagree with Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, which is intended to raise $500 million to jump start investments in biomedical research facilities, staff and equipment in Pennsylvania. However, an institution that claims to be a full-time Legislature -- and whose members are paid as such -- has no grounds on which to stand in claiming there isn't enough time to consider a major proposal from the governor, as did Todd Nyquist, a spokesman for Sen ate President Pro Tem Joseph Scarna ti, R- Jefferson. Sure, there are a lot of important is sues on the legisla tive agenda this fall. But Rendell's Jonas Salk proposal was unveiled last year. The Democratic- led House has approved the measure. This is not to suggest that the Republicans lack legitimate reasons to be wary of this legislation, which this newspaper has been reluctant to endorse, as well. State Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland, rightly questions whether there is a market for bonds based on future revenues generated by sales of cigarettes, a portion of which go into the state's Tobacco Settlement Fund. That fund, which is expected to generate $410 million in fiscal 2007-08, already supports a variety of important health-related programs, including medical research and investments in biotechnology. Recent developments, both in international markets and in Congress, tend to reinforce Vance's skepticism about the viability of these bonds, which would not have the backing of the full faith and credit of the commonwealth. The collapse of hedge funds and lenders heavily invested in sub-prime mortgage instruments has forced lenders to substantially reduce their exposure to risk. Meanwhile, Congress is contemplating passage of the largest cigarette tax in history, 61 cents a pack to fund expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which is expected to have a significant impact on sales of cigarettes. That, in turn, would be expected to reduce the amount of taxes generated into the state's Tobacco Settlement Fund. Notwithstanding these developments, the governor's Jonas Salk proposal deserves careful consideration by senators. That's a given. But the notion that there hasn't been enough time for the Senate to hold hearings and gather the necessary information for each member to make an informed vote just doesn't fly. The governor -- and the people -- deserve at least the courtesy of a vote on a proposal that Rendell views as critical to Pennsylvania's ability to remain competitive in a field of immense future economic potential.
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