Merksamer Makes Only Bid For Stem Cell Agency Lobbying Contract
By Dr. Matthew Watson
is interested in working for the California stem cell agency – at
least interested enough to put in a bid.
function of the small size of the contract – $65,000 – and the
entrenched nature of CIRM's existing lobbyist – Nielsen, Merksamer,
Parrinello, Gross & Leoni LLP – one of the state Capitol's
larger lobbying firms with $5 million in billings last year.
connection to the $3 billion agency in its 21-page proposal in
response to a CIRM RFA this spring. The firm has been with CIRM since
2005.
a couple of other interesting aspects of the continuing arrangement.
CIRM will run out of money for new grants in 2017, and Nielsen
Merkasamer said,
“Furthermore, as a premier
legislative advocacy and (Nielsen's italics) ballot measure
law ?rm, Nielsen Merksamer can actively and effectively assist CIRM
as it contemplates returning to the voters for additional funding.”
conceal information that normally would be public record. The firm
said,
“Another unique advantage offered by
Nielsen Merksamer is that, unlike the vast majority of lobbying ?rms,
since we are a full-service law ?rm, our relationships with our
clients are subject to the attorney-client privilege.”
“(N)o one understands CIRM’s 'total
picture' better than Nielsen Merksamer. Not only has Nielsen
Merksamer been representing CIRM before the Legislature for the past
decade, but Nielsen Merksamer was also one of the principal drafters
of the aforementioned Proposition 71—which brought CIRM to life.
The depth of Nielsen Merksamer’s familiarity with, and
understanding of, CIRM’s mission and structure, the challenges it
faces, and the promise it holds simply cannot be matched by any other
legislative advocate.”
$65,000 offered by CIRM but would charge only $49,200 annually, about the same as
it has been paid for several years. Steve Merksamer and Gene Erbin,
who drafted portions of Proposition 71, would handle most of CIRM's
affairs. John Moffatt and Missy Johnson would also be available.
instances where it successfully killed legislation opposed by CIRM.
You can read about them in their proposal below.
- Tracking the Fruits of California Stem Cell Agency Research - September 1st, 2013
- UCLA Snags $3.6 Million from California Stem Cell Agency - September 1st, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency Seeks Stronger Ties with Possible Industry Funding Partners - September 1st, 2013
- UCLA Takes Four of 13 Awards Today; One Business Wins - September 1st, 2013
- $41 Million in California Stem Cell Grants Virtually Approved - September 1st, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency Pays Tribute to the Late Duane Roth - September 1st, 2013
- Skin in California’s Stem Cell Game - September 1st, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency's $150,000 Search for Its Financial Future - August 25th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Researchers to Receive $70 Million Next Week - August 25th, 2013
- Flim-Flam Stem Cell Artists Targeted by CIRM - August 25th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Spending: Where the Money Is Going - August 25th, 2013
- A $2 Million Bill: Outside Contracting by California Stem Cell Agency - August 25th, 2013
- New Ties to Big Pharma and Venture Capital Proposed at California Stem Cell Agency - August 25th, 2013
- Bonilla: Veto of Pay-for-Eggs Bill Shows Troubling Mindset - August 18th, 2013
- 'Butter and Eggs Money" and a Gubernatorial Veto - August 18th, 2013
- California Gov. Jerry Brown Vetoes Pay-for-Eggs Legislation - August 18th, 2013
- A $6 Billion Question: Progress of the California Stem Cell Agency - August 18th, 2013
- Duane Roth: Ecumenical Innovator for San Diego and Biotech - August 18th, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency's Duane Roth Eulogized at Memorial Services - August 18th, 2013
- 'Paradigm Shift' -- Researchers as Patient Advocates? - August 18th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency on Lacks: Informed Consent Cannot Remove All Questions - August 11th, 2013
- Californians Top List of Stem Cell Honorees - August 11th, 2013
- The Henrietta Lacks Story and Eggs, Money and Motherhood - August 11th, 2013
- Skloots, Collins and More on Henrietta Lacks' Cell Line Deal - August 11th, 2013
- Memorial Services Friday for Duane Roth, Co-vice chairman of the California Stem Cell Agency - August 11th, 2013
- CIRM's Roth Dies Following Bike Accident - August 11th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation Now Before California Gov. Jerry Brown - August 4th, 2013
- Comment re Pay-for-Eggs Item and Forbes Article - August 4th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation: A Comment on Risk - August 4th, 2013
- Skimpy Coverage of Alpha Clinic Concept Approval - August 4th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Looking for New Home in Two Years - August 4th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Official Duane Roth in Improving Condition - July 28th, 2013
- Another $23 Million to Recruit Star Stem Cell Scientists to California - July 28th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Launches $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Project - July 28th, 2013
- Coming Up: Live Coverage of Today's California Stem Cell Meeting - July 28th, 2013
- Stem Cell Lines and Paid-for Eggs: Stem Cell Agency Delays Action on Easing Restrictions - July 28th, 2013
- $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Project Garners Mainstream Media Attention - July 28th, 2013
- UCLA Researcher Calls for Easing of Restrictions on Stem Cell Lines Derived from Eggs From Paid Providers - July 28th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency to Commit 20 Percent of Remaining Cash - July 21st, 2013
- Paying for Human Eggs, Ivan Illich and Jerry Brown - July 21st, 2013
- California's $70 Million 'Alpha' Stem Cell Clinic Plan Headed for Approval Next Week - July 21st, 2013
- TV News Piece on Pay-for-Eggs Airs in Los Angeles, San Francisco - July 14th, 2013
- Shestack Resignation Letter: Heartfelt and Eloquent - July 14th, 2013
- Veto Campaign Launched on California Pay-For-Eggs Bill - July 14th, 2013
- Sacramento Mental Health Advocate Appointed to Stem Cell Agency Board - July 14th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Merger: Capricor and Niles Therapeutics - July 14th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation: Strange Bedfellows and Existential Questions - July 14th, 2013
- "Comfort News" for California's Stem Cell Research Effort - July 14th, 2013
- HIV Clinical Trial Hailed by California Stem Cell Agency - July 14th, 2013
- Eggs and Cash: Stem Cell Agency Considering Easing Restrictions on Stem Cell Lines Derived Using Payments - July 14th, 2013
- California Legislation Removing Ban on Payments for Eggs for Research Heads to Governor - July 14th, 2013
- California Legislation, Human Egg Sales and Profits - July 7th, 2013
- Challenge to WARF hESC Patents Cites Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decision - July 7th, 2013
- Cost of a Stem Cell Therapy? An Estimated $512,000 - June 30th, 2013
- Bluebird and Banking: Media Pluses for California Stem Cell Agency - June 30th, 2013
- International team submits IND application - June 23rd, 2013
- Pay-For-Eggs Legislation Draws More Media Attention - June 23rd, 2013
- Compensation for Human Eggs Approved by Key California Senate Committee, But Not For CIRM Researchers - June 16th, 2013
- Cellular Dynamics: California Stem Cell Agency Recipient Plans $57 Million IPO - June 9th, 2013
- Light Coverage of Cellular Dynamics IPO But One Exec Says It's Good for Stem Cell Biz - June 9th, 2013
- Pomeroy on Doing the Right Thing and Foster Care - June 9th, 2013
- Vatican Funding for California Stem Cell Agency? - June 2nd, 2013
- Bluebird bio of Massachusetts Still Waiting for California Stem Cell Money - June 2nd, 2013
- California's Alpha Stem Cell Clinics: Open in 2014, Six to Eight Locations - June 2nd, 2013
- Monterey Newspaper Chides California Stem Cell Agency - June 2nd, 2013
- Trounson Proposes $70 Million, Fast-Track Stem Cell Clinic Plan for California - June 2nd, 2013
- $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Proposal Draws Reader Comment - June 2nd, 2013
- Sacramento Bee: Ongoing Conflict Problems No Help for Future Funding of Stem Cell Agency - June 2nd, 2013
- Multimillion Dollar Carrots for Stem Cell Research in California - May 26th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency: 5 Percent Budget Increase for Coming Fiscal Year - May 26th, 2013
- $36 Million Recruitment: Names of Researchers Being Lured to California - May 26th, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency Approves $36 million to Recruit Six Scientists to California - May 26th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency to Court Patient Groups This Summer - May 26th, 2013
- Nature Reports on Lee Hood Conflict Case - May 26th, 2013
- Grant Reviewer Conflict in $40 Million Round at California Stem Cell Agency - May 26th, 2013
- Text of CIRM Comments on Lee Hood Questions - May 26th, 2013
- Replicating Oregon Cloning in California: Views on the Legality - May 19th, 2013
- Oregon-style Stem Cell Cloning Research Illegal in California: No Pay for Eggs in Golden State - May 19th, 2013
- Weissman Says Oregon-style Stem Cell Research Could be Done in California - May 19th, 2013
- Klein, StemCells, Inc., and $31,000 in Consulting Fees for Torres - May 19th, 2013