Gov. Deval L. Patrick of Massachusetts called today for committing $1-billion over the next decade to life-sciences research, including the creation of a stem-cell bank, in an effort to make the state a global leader in biotechnology, The Boston Globe reported.

Governor Patrick, a Democrat, said the proposal could help Massachusetts compete with other states, like California and New York, that have put money into stem-cell research. The state legislature, which will have to vote on the spending plan, passed a law in 2005 to encourage research on human embryonic stem cells but did not approve substantial state funds for the effort.

If approved, the governor’s plan would include $500-million for public higher education and equipment to be used in collaboration with the life-sciences industry; $250-million for research grants, fellowships, and training initiatives; $250-million in tax benefits; and $250-million in matching funds for grants, fellowships, and training for private companies. —Karin Fischer