FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Storm House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: mstorm@pahouse.net	State Rep. Chelsa Wagner D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/Wagner State Rep. Matt Smith D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/msmith

Committee backs Wagner/Smith biomedical proposal

HARRISBURG, June 14 – Health and Human Services Committee members this week moved a major piece of health-care and economic legislation proposed by state Reps. Chelsa Wagner and Matt Smith, both D-Allegheny, one step closer to becoming law.

“On Wednesday the Health and Human Services Committee sent a signal to the full House that it is time for state government to take the lead and seriously build on our biomedical industry through the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund,” Wagner said. “The research funded through this investment could lead to the next great medical advancement, save lives and produce a higher quality of medical care for everyone.”

The pair of Allegheny County lawmakers are proposing to greatly enhance the state’s biomedical capacity through the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, named in honor of the renowned innovator who developed the polio vaccine. The fund would provide a major infusion of funding into research, commercialization and health-venture investments in Pennsylvania.

“This legislation is a prime example of how government can be a catalyst to spur project development and economic growth,” Smith said. “These investments will pay off medically and economically for generations to come.”

The Salk Fund would directly support the advancement of Pennsylvania’s capacity in biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and research and development. Grants would focus on capital investments in facilities and research infrastructure, as well as provide specialized equipment for newly recruited faculty to convert and upgrade research facilities in universities and colleges across the state.

Grants would support the creation of about 12,000 high-quality research-related and support jobs with average annual salaries of $65,000, providing an additional $24 million in Personal Income Tax revenues for the state.

The Salk proposal must now go before the full House for consideration.

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