Updated: Despite Moratorium, CPRIT Board Moves Forward
Updated, Feb. 25, 3:30 p.m.: The oversight board for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas has decided to move forward on contract negotiations for approved grants that have been stalled by a moratorium placed on grants in December.
“You still have to do a lot of work to get ready to sign a contract,” said Ellen Read, a spokeswoman for CPRIT, “so the board would like our legal department to go ahead and do that work so that when and if the moratorium is lifted, then the contracts will be in place.”
CPRIT will not sign ...
Comments (9)
John Johnson
Question.....once our tax money funds a researcher, and he or she discovers and patents a wonder drug, what breaks do Texans get on the cost of that drug? Do we get anything in return, over and above what someone living in someother state?
Anya Khan
With my family medical history, odds are I am going to get cancer within the next 20 years. I am all in favor of money going to cancer research, I am NOT, however, in favor of corrupt agencies wasting the money they were given. Until CPRIT can get their act together, money given to them helps no one.
Cliff McSparran via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lofty goal.
John Johnson
Anya...what I am asking is.....after funding grants, should taxpayers receive cost breaks on what the researchers patent?
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
An important research institute that needs to be continued. This is an institute that benefits the state and higher education. Like any new organization, there will be growing pains but there is a commitment from those at the institute to make it succeed.
Cheryl Gonzales
"Mend it don't end it"??? Better to "Nail 'em, and jail 'em".
hans5162@ix.netcom.com hans
Funny how Matthew is an apologist for anything Rick Perry screws up. Cancer research is a worthy cause. Why should we be funding it with debt? If it is important enough to spend state funds pursuing, it should be paid for out of current expenditures. This mismanagement should be laid where it belongs, which is at the doorstep of the Governor. He has a history of mismanaging state programs going back to his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner. He lost a lot of money over there, before the program was shut down. We need to support cancer research, without the cronyism and lack of transparency that has characterized 10 years of Rick Perry's administration.
Anya Khan
Matthew there are research institutes without these problems. This was not "growing pains" it was wide spread corruption.
Anya Khan
JJ I apologize, I didn't see your question. My gut answer is "Hell yes", but I would need to think about it more for a more informed response, that will probably be the same.