WILLIAMS TO HEAD COMMITTEE TO RE-EXAMINE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT INVESTMENT

HARRISBURG, JULY 18 – In announcing her appointment to a Senate select committee, state Sen. Connie Williams said that a periodic review of the state’s investment of federal tobacco settlement funds will ensure that the funds continue to deliver the most impact to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.

Williams has been appointed Democratic chair of the select committee to review research and economic development initiatives made possible by the Tobacco Settlement Fund. The committee was established by resolution (SR 241).

“It has been five years since the legislature worked on enabling legislation to invest the state’s share of the national tobacco settlement. While I was part of the initial work on the bill, with changes in medicine and technology it is a good time to revisit the plan and to make sure it remains a responsible and effective investment of money that will benefit all Pennsylvanians,” Williams said.

In 2001, Williams’ work on the enabling legislation (Act 77 of 2001) allowed for the establishment of three regional biotechnology research centers to promote and coordinate research through shared funds and infrastructure.

“Since 2001, I believe that we have seen a positive return on the state’s investment of these funds – whether it has been for smoking cessation or prevention programs, or through funding medical research,” Williams said. “This is especially true in Southeastern Pennsylvania where there is a concentration of medical research facilities, biotechnology companies and academic research institutions, and in cities, like Pittsburgh, where we also have world-class education facilities and emerging technologies. As the scientific knowledge base grows we continue to see evolution in medical testing and treatment. Developments in life sciences, advances being made by some of Pennsylvania’s world-class medical and research facilities and biotechnology – the combination of biology and technology – are allowing people to live healthier lives.”

Williams, who is Democratic Chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and co-chair of the Senate Biotechnology Caucus, sees scientific advances as shaping Pennsylvania’s future.

“One goal, one research project, one new piece of equipment at a time, biotechnology and medical research are shaping the future,” Williams said. “The emphasis that the Commonwealth has placed on investments in research and development is helping Pennsylvania to make its mark on the future.”

“Within this dynamic field, it continues to be critical that the Commonwealth ensures that its investments are keeping pace with the growth,” Williams said. “By taking a closer look today, we will continue to wisely invest in (and promote the growth of) these important industries.”

Williams added that cessation and smoking prevention program funding would remain a priority when looking at the settlement dollars.

Democratic members of the committee include Sens. Williams, James Ferlo and Andrew Dinniman: Republican members include: Sens. Jane Clare Orie (chair), Gibson Armstrong, Jake Corman and Robert Wonderling.

By resolution, the Senate select committee will hold three hearings and hear testimony from some of Pennsylvania’s world-class academic research institutions and hospitals, representatives of the life sciences investment community, economic development entities and members of the Commonwealth’s emerging biotechnology and life sciences industries. The committee is asked to report its finding and recommendations to the Senate by Nov. 30.