I may not be good at science, but I do know the chemistry of the legislature.

Governor O’Malley budgeted $18.4 million for stem cell research. Our staff has recommended a drastic reduction – to only $5 million.

I thought this would send the wrong signal to the scientific community about Maryland’s commitment to this research specifically and the biotechnology sector generally.

So I asked that the Stem Cell Research Commission send me a one-pager on the benefits of the state’s funding this research.

When I give this memo to members of the relevant Appropriations subcommittee, here’s how I boil down their argument.

* This is stimulus money for the biotech sector in the short term
* Significant federal $$ are not coming soon
* A cut of this size would jeopardize MD’s leadership in this area of research in the long term

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I began testifying on my resolution for the Jim McKay Maryland Million, the annual day of racing for horses sired by stallions standing in the state, by saying:

“If you’re as old as I am, you remember watching Wide World of Sports on a black-and-white tv.

“But I’m sure that everyone on this committee heard Jim McKay say, ‘They’re all gone,’ when he informed the world of the fate of the Israeli hostages at the Munich Olympics.”

Afterwards, one of the committee members came up to me and said, “I wasn’t born until 1973, the year after Munich.”

I may not have known his age, but I hope I have his vote.