Illinois

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Gov. Rod Blagojevich
site: http://illinois.gov/gov/ |

Published July 20, 2006
Blagojevich skirts lawmakers to fund stem-cell research

By Ryan Keith
Associated Press Writer

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich today again used his executive power to spend millions of state dollars on stem-cell research despite repeated objections from state legislators.

The governor announced he's directing $5 million to the research from within the current state budget. The money will come from a spending line used for administrative expenses within the state

Department of Healthcare and Family Services,

Blagojevich said.

The move comes a day after President Bush vetoed legislation in Washington expanding funding for embryonic stem-cell research. It also comes a year after Blagojevich used an executive order to direct $10 million for such research, a move that caught many state lawmakers off guard.

State lawmakers have voted down stem-cell funding before over ideological differences and this spring did not take up the governor's proposal for $100 million in funding over five years.

Blagojevich says he won't let a lack of legislative support stop him.

"It would be wrong to ask sick and injured people and their loved ones to wait for the tides in Springfield and Washington to change before research into potentially lifesaving cures can move forward,'' Blagojevich said in a statement. "Investing in research that can save lives and prevent serious illnesses is more than a sound public health strategy, it's our moral obligation.''