It’s a busy day for local science news today. In an interview this morning on WBUR, Massachusetts Senate President Robert Travaglini said funding stem cell research was a top priority for the Senate next year. “I think it’s time for the Commonwealth to make a decision as to whether or not we have a financial obligation to participate in that research and to contribute to that research,” he said.

When asked how much the state might invest in stem cell research, he said between $40 and $60 million over five years. Here’s a partial transcript of the interview.

Indeed, Beacon Hill is interested. At the Harvard stem cell panel discussion I attended last week (here’s my account of the event), state Representative Jeff Sanchez was in the audience, and was asking some thoughtful questions about what kind of stem cell research should be funded and who should have oversight over state-funded stem cell research.

So definitely something to keep an eye on for 2007!