The Texas Senate's version of a budget bill for the next biennium would bar the use of state funds for stem cell research. While the measure could be stripped for the final budget bill in a House-Senate conference, the measure's inclusion has angered many scientists, who have been pleased that President Obama has ended the Bush administration's limits on federal funds for the research. A ban on the use of state funds would make it difficult for faculty members at public universities to conduct such work, even if federal funds were used for the studies. Eighteen prominent Texas scientists have sent a letter to legislators blasting the measure and arguing that it would hurt science in the state, The Texas Monthly reported.