NYS FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
The enacted budget makes the following changes to the Executive Budget (analysis as of April 4, 2005):
- Creates a new public benefit corporation the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (Foundation)) to replace an existing State agency, the Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR). The transfer must occur no later than January 31, 2006 except under certain circumstances. PEF currently has seven members who work at NYSTAR.
- PEF opposed the creation of this new public benefit corporation, and will urge a gubernatorial veto or for him to change this proposal through negotiations with the Legislature that would preserve NYSTAR as a State agency or to transfer its functions to the Department of Economic Development. This proposal was not part of the original Governor’s proposed budget, but emerged very late in the process as the Legislature conducted their conference committee process. When the Legislature indicated it was going to create this new Foundation, PEF secured language that ensures that all current and future employees will be considered public employees under civil service law and will maintain their civil service and collective bargaining rights and the current collective bargaining unit. New employees will be assigned to the appropriate collective bargaining unit. These provisions are similar to the provisions in the “shadow agency” legislation PEF has advocated.
- The Foundation will be governed by a 13 member board that will oversee all existing NYSTAR programs. In addition, the Foundation will develop and implement a new regional economic development partnership program. The program will certify up to ten regional economic development partners through an open Requests for Proposal process. Regional partnerships will be made up of local economic development organizations, research institutions, business representatives, and other local entities.
- The regional partnerships will provide grants and loans for business and facility projects that offer potential for significant growth through the incorporation of innovative businesses processes. While the Foundation will concentrate on the State’s high technology infrastructure, the regional development program will serve all economic sectors.
- According to the Legislature, it provides $6 million in General Fund support and $90 million in capital projects funding for regional economic development initiatives in SFY2005-06.
The Executive Budget recommends (analysis as of January 26, 2005):
- An overall workforce of 30 FTEs; the same level as last year.
- A $75,000 reduction in the personal service appropriation for the Administration program. This $75,000 was included in the special pay bill enacted by the Legislature in 2004 to pay negotiated salary increases for prior years. According to the Executive Budget and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee’s analysis there is adequate funding for the 30 FTE positions in the budget including funding for negotiated pay raises.
Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
Program Details-State Operations
Enacted
Proposed
Enacted
Change in
Percent
Program
2004-05 Budget
2005-06 Budget
2005-06 Budget
Appropriation
Change
All Funds
$3,325,000
$3,325,000
$3,325,000
$0
0.0%
General Fund
$2,825,000
$2,825,000
$2,825,000
$0
0.0%
Special Revenue-Other
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%
Administration
$3,325,000
$3,325,000
$3,325,000
$0
0.0%
Maintenance Undistributed
$2,825,000
$2,825,000
$2,825,000
$0
0.0%
Special Revenue Other
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%
STAR Acct (SRO)
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%