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For Immediate
Release
8/22/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate Select Committee to Meet in Pittsburgh
to Hear Testimony on Tobacco Settlement Fund
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate Select Committee on the Tobacco Settlement will hold a public hearing on
Monday, August 28, in Pittsburgh, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), who
heads the panel.
The
committee will hear testimony from research and economic development
groups, universities, and health services professionals on how
Pennsylvania's share of the tobacco settlement fund is being spent and
what can be done to use the money more effectively.
The
hearing will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, August 28 on the
First Floor of Cellomics on 100 Technology Drive in Pittsburgh.
Orie
sponsored Senate Resolution 241 creating the select Senate Committee to
review research and economic development programs created by the Tobacco
Settlement Act of 2001; Orie was the prime sponsor of that act. The
resolution also asks whether Pennsylvania should continue on the same
track or whether science is advancing so rapidly that there are more
efficient ways to use the funding.
"It
has been five years since we began providing for research grants and
venture capital investments in health care, biotechnology, and other
health-related businesses through the Tobacco Settlement Fund," Orie
said. "Now it is time to take a broad look at what Pennsylvania has
purchased with the Tobacco Settlement Funds and to determine whether we
want to continue as we have in the past or whether we should look at new
ways to allocate funding."
Among
those scheduled to testify are representatives of the Pittsburgh
Technology Council, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon
University and local research and development groups.
"The
witnesses the Senate Select Committee has asked to testify are the ideal
persons to provide us with the answers, since they have been direct or
indirect recipients of tobacco funds, and can tell us how
Pennsylvanians' health and our economy have improved as a result of the
funding," Orie said. "I look forward to hearing from world-renowned
researchers and entrepreneurs who can guide Pennsylvania into the future
as we translate scientific discoveries into applications to improve the
health and quality of life of our citizens, as well as contribute to
their economic well-being."
Orie
said the hearing is one of several the Select Committee has scheduled to
review what has been accomplished and provide the full Senate with a
report and recommendations on how to keep Pennsylvania in the forefront
of research and applications.
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