Speaker Nuñez Announces Committee Assignments
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) released a list of Assembly committee assignments for the 2007-2008 legislative session.  Committee assignments of note to the life sciences industry include: Health Committee Chairman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton); Health Committee Vice-Chairman Alan Nakanishi (R-Lodi); and Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services Chairman Patty Berg (D-Eureka).  Click here to view all committee assignments.

Patent Holder Reverses Course on Stem Cell Research Agreements
In a decision this week that is expected to improve research opportunities for stem cell scientists, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) announced that it would relax its policies regarding enforcement of its patents on the methods uses to isolate embryonic stem cell lines and the cells themselves.  Under the new policy released Monday, California’s stem cell institute and grantees specifically will not be required to negotiate a license with the Wisconsin group.  However, the foundation did not give up its right to claim a share of royalties from stem cell therapies developed using state funding that are eventually commercialized.  It is expected that the announcement will lead to more discoveries reaching patients because of an increase in the number of companies and institutions conducting research.

Poll Suggest Public Support for Governor and Health Plan
In a poll released this week by the Public Policy Institute of California, California residents from all political persuasions are expressing there support for the governor.  According to the poll, 58 percent of California adults approve of the way Schwarzenegger is handling his job, 11 points higher than it was in October.  He is polling at 72 percent with Republicans, 60 percent with Independents and 55 percent with Democrats.  The governor’s recently proposed health care reform plan is also popular with the public, with 65 percent of respondents approving.  Ironically Democrats (79 percent) and Independents (68 percent) are far more enthusiastic than Republicans (55 percent).