OFFICE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ACADEMIC RESEARCH
The enacted budget passed by the Legislature made the following changes to the Executive Budget (analysis as of March 30, 2006):
- The enacted budget makes no changes to the Executive Budget’s State operations appropriations.
· Appoints the current NYSTAR board as the interim board of the Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (Foundation) which was created last year.
- Appoints the NYSTAR Executive Director as interim Executive Director of the Foundation.
- Requires the Foundation to develop a strategic plan to encourage cutting-edge research and develop a statewide intellectual property policy to assure that innovations resulting from academic research are commercialized in New York State.
· Specifically states that the purpose of the Foundation’s Regional Partnership program is to promote regional economic assistance to certify partnerships that promote technology enhancement and innovation which will work in coordination with technology development organizations
· Makes the Foundation’s Regional Partnerships eligible for grants and loans from the Urban Development Corporation’s (UDC) JOBS NOW and Economic development fund programs.
· UDC is authorized to provide assistance to Regional Partnerships and industry clusters.
- Requires the Foundation to prepare annual reports on effectiveness of Regional Partnerships and all state programs to promote science, research, development and commercialization.
· Requires an annual report on each program the Foundation administers and, in cooperation with UDC, the centers of excellence program.
· NYSTAR appropriations are transferred to new Foundation and “where appropriate” made available to Regional Partnerships.
The Executive Budget recommends (analysis as of January 27, 2006):
- An overall workforce of 30 FTEs; the same level as last year.
- A $100,000 increase in the maintenance undistributed appropriation in the Administration program. According to the Assembly this increase is to cover “contractual obligations”.
- The Local Assistance budget is cut by $4.97 million reflecting the elimination of grants for certain programs. There is proposed new funding of $750,000 for the creation of the newly designated SUNY Albany Semiconductor Research Corporation.
- According to the Executive Budget the office will be converted to the new Foundation for Science, Technology & Academic Research most likely by January 31, 2006.
Program Details-State Operations
Enacted
Proposed
Enacted
Change in
Percent
Program
2005-06 Budget
2006-07 Budget
2006-07 Budget
Appropriation
Change
All Funds
$3,325,000
$3,425,000
$3,425,000
$100,000
3.0%
General Fund
$2,825,000
$2,925,000
$2,925,000
$100,000
3.5%
Special Revenue-Other
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%
Administration
$3,325,000
$3,425,000
$3,425,000
$100,000
3.0%
Maintenance Undistributed
$2,825,000
$2,925,000
$2,925,000
$100,000
3.5%
Special Revenue Other
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%
STAR Acct (SRO)
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$0
0.0%