Mesothelioma Research Bill in Pawlenty's Hands
On Thursday, state legislators sent a bill to Governor Tim Pawlenty that would fund University research for mesothelioma affecting Iron Range miners. In total, fifty-eight Iron Range miners have died from mesothelioma.
Pending Pawlenty's signature, the University will have $4.9 million to study the disease. Pawlenty has previosuly voiced support for the bill. If the bill is passed, the University plans to analyze death records, perform environmental reviews and conduct screenings of current and former miners. The research is scheduled to take five years.
If Pawlenty doesn't sign the bill, the University would have to get funds from grants.