Acting Governor Codey's goal to create a $500 million stem cell research program before leaving office this month collapsed Tuesday when Assembly Democrats shelved a package of bills that aimed to make New Jersey a leader in the controversial science.
Democratic leaders in the lower house took the unusual step of announcing that a vote on the stem cell proposal "is not expected" before the current legislative session expires on Tuesday. That means its supporters will have to effectively start from scratch in the new session.
It appeared that the Democrats could not muster enough votes to approve the package, which would have created research centers in Newark and New Brunswick and sought voter approval to distribute millions in research grants.
Through a prepared statement, a represemtative for the Assembly Democrats said the leaders had opted not to schedule the stem cell bills for consideration because "a number of members expressed concerns about the bill and asked for more time."
"They felt the legislation should be dealt with in the new legislative session that begins Tuesday rather than being rushed through in the closing days of this legislative calendar," said spokesman Joe Donnelly.
The move was a blow to Codey, who has sought to make New Jersey a hub of stem cell research. He made it one of the top priorities of his temporary, 16-month tenure as acting governor, which ends on Jan. 17 when Governor-elect Jon S. Corzine is sworn in.
The setback also portends the political difficulties Codey faces when he returns full time to his post as Senate president. The Assembly leadership is dominated by South Jersey Democrats, some with strong ties to Codey's longtime foe, South Jersey party leader George Norcross.
A Codey spokeswoman expressed disappointment with Tuesday's announcement.
"The proposed legislation has been around for a year and we think the Assembly has had ample time to review the issues," said spokeswoman Kelley Heck.
Heck said Codey's eagerness to get the bills passed is less about legacy and more about finding cures for diseases.
"It's time to stop wasting time and get to work on curing these diseases," Heck said.
Scientists believe stem cells can be engineered to grow into just about any type of living cell. That has given researchers hope that by using stem cells, they can cure diseases such as diabetes and cancer and rehabilitate patients paralyzed by spinal cord injuries. Many argue that embryonic stem cell research offers the most promise. They say these cells - found in the earliest stages of an embryo's development - are more adaptable for research than adult stem cells.
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