The Massachusetts legislature has approved a 10-year, US$1-billion life sciences bill aimed at attracting biotechnology companies to the state. The bill has been championed by Governor Deval Patrick, who signed it into law on 16 June.rnThe legislation will fund several university research centres, $250 million in tax credits and $250 million in grants, among other projects.rnAlthough legislators overwhelmingly supported the bill, it has generated some controversy. Economists voiced scepticism after Patrick claimed that the funding would generate 250,000 jobs in the state - a figure many considered overly optimistic. While under consideration in the legislature, the bill picked up several controversial additions, including a proposed $50-million science centre at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, which does not have a graduate programme in science. That earmark has since been removed.
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