ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland's Senate had planned on debating state-funded stem cell research projects this year, and the governor's surprise announcement Wednesday may have tipped the scales in favor of passage.

Gov. Bob Ehrlich proposed on Wednesday $20 million in state funding to pay for embryonic stem cell research.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported that announcement may support lawmakers' efforts for the same cause.

"It will certainly will help and it's a step in the right direction," said Baltimore County Sen. Paula Hollinger, D-District 11.

The governor's funding proposal would spend state dollars on the research and determine what type of research would be eligible.

Hollinger, who has sponsored stem cell research legislation in the Senate opposes that, in part, citing concerns about the lack of peer reviews.

She chairs the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and plans to re-introduce her stem cell bill early and try to quickly move it to the full Senate.

Proposal Irks Some Ehrlich Supporters

Senate President Mike Miller, surprised by the governor's commitment, said the stance goes against the Republican Party line.

"He's angering his right-wing base, his right-wing base is going to be very angry by his position, including several senators on the right side of the aisle," Miller said.

Some senators believe extracting stem cells from an embryo carries the same consequence of an abortion.

Conservatives in the Senate concede that some in their own ranks support the research. They don't have the number of votes to kill the highly-anticipated bill. So, instead they issued a warning.

"If the bill that came through last year comes back again, yes, I feel certain there will be" a filibuster, said Eastern Shore Sen. Lowell Stoltzfus, R-District 38.

"I still view that as destroying life," said Sen. Larry Haines, R-District 5, who represents portions of Baltimore and Carroll counties.

"It has become too politicized in American politics, people choose sides," Ehrlich said of stem cell research. "I would hope we would keep the politics to a minimum."

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