CGS-authored
IRVINE - Under pressure from lawmakers and open-government advocates, the state's stem cell oversight committee voted Tuesday to open more meetings, disclose more information about its grant awards and tighten its conflict-of-interest rules.
But the new rules stop short of the requirements imposed by other state agencies, a decision that drew mixed reviews from critics.
The board also sparred for the first time in its seven-month history, with members complaining they've had little say in the $2.1 million the agency has spent or its $1.18 million in contracts.
Board member Jeff Sheehy said he was "a little appalled" to learn the agency was spending nearly $30,000 a month on a public relations firm and insisted the panel adopt contracting limits.
"I just can't believe you are going to give (interim President Zach Hall) a blank check," he said. "I trust Zach, but it just doesn't look good."
The panel voted to require board approval for personal service contracts over $100,000, and created a new governance subcommittee to exercise more control over the stem cell agency.
The panel also adopted new...
But the new rules stop short of the requirements imposed by other state agencies, a decision that drew mixed reviews from critics.
The board also sparred for the first time in its seven-month history, with members complaining they've had little say in the $2.1 million the agency has spent or its $1.18 million in contracts.
Board member Jeff Sheehy said he was "a little appalled" to learn the agency was spending nearly $30,000 a month on a public relations firm and insisted the panel adopt contracting limits.
"I just can't believe you are going to give (interim President Zach Hall) a blank check," he said. "I trust Zach, but it just doesn't look good."
The panel voted to require board approval for personal service contracts over $100,000, and created a new governance subcommittee to exercise more control over the stem cell agency.
The panel also adopted new...