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Proof of climate change is at hand. Last week, a $150 million commitment to science sailed through a key committee of the Arizona Legislature.

Yes, the Arizona Legislature, home of the whopper alt-fuel disaster a few years back and a place where education funding usually struggles for air.

Suddenly, a beam of enlightenment permeates the place and Arizona's future looks better.

The state is on the verge of committing serious money to help boost our standing in the field of bioscience.

The aptly named Arizona 21st Century Competitive Initiative Fund has drawn a $100 million matching commitment from the private Stardust Charitable Group. Finally, the state can compete on the same court with serious research centers nationally.

Science Foundation Arizona has been established to help coordinate and prioritize funding for the resources we have or are developing.

This new statewide "command post" for the effort will be as important to the state's future as the Central Arizona Project.

"The potential for success of these initiatives is terrific," says Steve Lynn, who has been named to the board of the newly formed Science Foundation.

"It really kick-starts economic development in biosciences."

Arizona voters wisely endorsed Proposition 301 in 2000, committing $1 billion over 20 years to education at all levels in the state, and science and technology at the universities.

People get it. Science is critical to progress; bioscience has a direct link to life extension and quality. Citizens have a tradition of investing in the future.

One cornerstone of Arizona bioscience is the UA College of Medicine, established in the early '60s. Populous Maricopa County wanted the school for Arizona State University, but a consulting group recommended the UA and the Board of Regents picked Tucson for the state's first medical school. Initial funding of the school passed the Legislature by a one-vote margin in each house.

Key to the establishment of the College of Medicine was a public campaign to raise the "impossible" goal of $2 million. Founders for Arizona Medical Education (FAME) was led by William R. Mathews, publisher of this newspaper, and included such luminaries as philanthropist Roy Drachman. The group eventually raised nearly $3 million and ensured the spark of opportunity to establish the College of Medicine grew into a bright lamp that burns still.

The UA now offers programs in four medical spheres — colleges of medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health.

Other UA strengths, such as optics and information systems, will play into the formation of a statewide bioscience juggernaut. ASU and Northern Arizona University will also contribute, as will the Critical Path Institute in Tucson and TGen in Phoenix.

The new foundation and the funding it attracts are "hugely important," says Larry Aldrich, C-Path's chief operating officer.

A multiyear commitment of $300 million will attract talent to the state, he adds.

A few years ago, Arizona was dotted with academic and medical fiefdoms that had good programs individually but little in coordination and cooperation.

Integrating these assets into a bioscience structure will bring research, clinical and business advantages to the state.

Science Foundation Arizona will link our three universities in new ways and will coordinate our bioscience strategy.

Before this linkage, Arizona was a bit player in a B movie.

This new strategy will help us aspire to star status.