HARRISBURG -- Biomedical researchers in Pennsylvania soon could have better labs and new equipment, but at the expense of decreased funding for clinical trials, travel and other non-capital expenses.

It's worth the trade-off because quality labs would draw higher-level scientists and more research grants to the state, Gov. Ed Rendell said yesterday at a press conference to introduce his proposal to shift state funding for bioscience.

The shift -- part of the $25.1 billion state budget plan Mr. Rendell will announce next week -- still faces stiff opposition from Republican leaders of both legislative chambers.

Currently, 19 percent of the state's tobacco settlement revenue, or about $70 million a year, funds biomedical research.

Mr. Rendell wants to use half that money to make payments on a 20-year, $500 million bond issue. The $500 million would be distributed over two years to university, academic and private nonprofit research facilities that provide a dollar-for-dollar match.

The money would be distributed through a new board called the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, named for the Pittsburgh doctor famous for discovering the polio vaccine in 1955.

The idea is to provide a quick infusion of cash to boost biomedical research without using any taxpayer money, the governor said.

Several Democrats including Dan Frankel, of Squirrel Hill, said they support the plan, but legislative Republicans are balking.

House Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, won't consider adding to the state's current debt level of $7.8 billion, even if the loan would be repaid with tobacco settlement money.

"Tobacco funding is predicated on the number of people smoking,'' said Stephen Miskin, a Smith aide. "Who's to say that money will even be there in 20 years?"

Senate Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, R-Altoona, has the same concern, said his spokesman, Drew Crompton.

Mr. Jubelirer also is concerned that the governor's proposal could harm institutions that would rather keep current funding for research than shift half of it to capital improvements they may not need, Mr. Crompton said.

There is a need for both at the University of Pittsburgh, said Dr. Maggie McDonald, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and health sciences.

"We've really been quite pleased with the current funding system," she said in a telephone interview yesterday. "It's flexible, so an institution can use it wherever it has the greatest need."

Pitt uses its current allocation for equipment as well as for salaries and consumable research supplies, which would not be eligible for funding through the governor's proposed new program.

Supporters of Mr. Rendell's plan say it would will help Pennsylvania researchers advance nanotechnology, medical devices, robotic surgery, regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, autism therapies and more.

"This kind of accelerated funding ... is a creative new way to advance technologies that can make such a difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians," said Tim McNulty, special assistant to the provost at Carnegie Mellon University.

More than that, advancements made in Pennsylvania can affect the whole world, said Dr. Peter L. Salk, son of the famous vaccine discoverer.

"This is another major step in the direction of doing things of major importance to humanity ... starting here in Pennsylvania but ultimately for the entire world," said Dr. Salk, who traveled from California to attend the governor's press conference yesterday.