This election season, California voters are considering Proposition 38, a ballot measure that would authorize $8.4 billion in state bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research at California institutions. While the measure is not solely focused on Parkinson’s research, it could help advance breakthroughs that benefit the community as researchers learn more about the immune system’s role in Parkinson’s.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is a member of the statewide coalition supporting Proposition 38 as part of our broader effort to ensure government policies help accelerate the development of better treatments and cures for Parkinson’s.
What Would Proposition 38 Do?
If approved by voters on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3, 2026), Proposition 38 would:
- Dedicate $8.4 billion in state funding for immunology and immunotherapy research.
- Support research at California universities and nonprofit institutions.
- Include provisions to make California-funded scientific discoveries and treatments more affordable.
For nearly 135,000 Californians living with Parkinson’s and atypical parkinsonisms, Proposition 38 could strengthen the state’s scientific infrastructure and support research aimed at improving treatment options.
How States Are Accelerating Research
MJFF has worked to accelerate Parkinson’s research through a combination of scientific investment, public policy advocacy and community engagement. Today, that effort includes calling for increased government investment in Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disease research at both the federal and state levels.
MJFF and our network of policy advocates have helped secure several significant state research investments. In recent years:
- Texas voters approved a historic $3 billion commitment to brain disease research.
- New York invested $65 million in a new biotechnology initiative focused on neurodegenerative diseases.
- Pennsylvania established a new state-funded grant program for neurodegenerative disease research.
- Florida launched a Parkinson’s research consortium with $8 million in initial funding.
Together with Proposition 38, these efforts demonstrate growing state leadership in advancing research relevant to Parkinson’s disease. MJFF’s Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer, Dan Feehan, said: “Hope is powered by science, and the scientific opportunities in front of us have never been greater. Proposition 38 will help accelerate research that turns discoveries into breakthroughs for people living with Parkinson’s and many other diseases.”
Building Growing Momentum
In addition to Proposition 38, MJFF also supported Senate Bill (SB) 895, which aims to establish a state health and science research fund. Michael J. Fox authored a Los Angeles Times opinion piece urging California legislators to move SB 895 forward, writing: “The science is ready. How fast it can go is up to us.”
While SB 895 did not pass before the deadline to qualify for the 2026 election, it will appear before voters on the March 2028 ballot. The bill was signed into law by Governor Newsom (D) on September 30, 2026.
As of August 2026, California will also begin phasing out paraquat, a pesticide linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s. This progress followed a statewide safety reevaluation required by 2024 legislation that MJFF supported, after which all manufacturers voluntarily canceled their product registrations in California.
This progress in California and in other states reflects growing recognition of the meaningful role states can play in accelerating scientific discovery and addressing risk factors.
How to Get Involved
If you live in California, you can:
- Learn more about Proposition 38 and the research it would fund.
- Make a plan to vote. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Mail-in ballots will go out on October 5, and in-person early voting starts on October 31.
- Join MJFF’s Parkinson’s Policy Network to help advance policies that accelerate Parkinson’s research and improve the lives of people living with the disease.
While only Californians can vote on Proposition 38, supporters everywhere can get involved in Parkinson’s advocacy. Learn more about MJFF’s policy priorities, use our tools and resources to educate lawmakers and join our advocacy efforts to help drive progress in your own state.
Whether you vote on Proposition 38 in California or speak up for research and public health policies in another state, your advocacy helps us get closer to a future free from Parkinson’s.