California Stem Cell Research Backers Seek $5.5B Bond Measure

Backers of California’s stem cell agency are seeking to qualify a $5.5 billion bond measure for the statewide ballot in November 2020.

• In 2004, California voters approved $3 billion in bonds to fund such research
• Payments on new bonds to be postponed for the first five years to protect the general fund, according to language submitted to the state attorney general
• Debt costs would be spread out over 40 years so that “repayment is aligned with the period of time over which California patients are expected to benefit from institute-funded research”

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