SSTI Digest

Science, technology and workforce development are prominent themes in the plans 42 governors outlined for their states, according to the latest SSTI Issue Brief, Science & Technology in the States: Excerpts from the 1999 Governors' Addresses.  The publication provides a collection of 109 research, workforce development and technology-related quotes from 1999 Inaugural Addresses, State of the State Addresses, and Budget Addresses by the governors.

An SSTI review of more than 80 gubernatorial speeches delivered during the past four months revealed several common technology-related themes for many governors:

• Increasing 21st century workforce preparedness through job training programs and greater accessibility to college and technical school courses;

• Expanding use of information technology in state government, libraries, and the classroom;

Yahoo! Internet Life magazine has named its 1999 list of the "100 most wired" colleges and universities.  This is the third year in which the magazine has published the list. Listed  in the top five are: Case Western Reserve University (OH); Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Wake Forest University (NC); the New Jersey Institute of Technology;  and, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY).

Compiled in conjunction with Peterson's (known  for its expertise in education information guides and services), the rankings  are based on a survey of 571 four-year institutions in the U.S. In analyzing the data, Yahoo! noted that schools have made great strides in developing  their computer networks. Of the "100 Most Wired" Colleges:

The expected economic benefits from the Advanced Technology Program far outweigh program costs, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The report, Advanced Technology Program Performance of Completed Projects, Status Report Number 1, was prepared by economist William F. Long of Business Performance Research Associates Inc. The report provides the most detailed examination to date of the outcomes of the earliest ATP projects.

The study covers all 38 ATP projects completed by the end of March 1997, documenting research accomplishments, subsequent work by the companies to commercialize the results, and near-term outlooks for the technologies. It also lists the reasons for failure of 12 other terminated projects that were selected between 1991 and March 1997.

A Wichita, Kansas-based venture capital firm seeks a broadly qualified leader to commercialize technology, develop start-up businesses, manage pre-seed and seed capital funds, and raise capital. Resumes with a personal statement of interest and five professional references to Mary Breakstone at the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC). The full position description is available on the SSTI home page at www.ssti.org

The Department of Commerce budget request as submitted by the Clinton Administration includes language that would exempt the Advanced Technology Program's $239 million budget from inclusion in the 2.5 percent set-aside for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. If passed as written, the result would result in a nearly $6 million cut in the Commerce SBIR obligation, which in FY1998 totaled $6.7 million.

Ann Eskesen, a leading SBIR expert and advocate, brought the Commerce issue to the attention of the SBIR community through the ASBIR Two Cents@ website, sponsored by Ms. Eskesen's firm, Innovation Development Institute (http://www.inknowvationcom/SBIR_TwoCents/). According to information posted on Two Cents, the Commerce budget request is scheduled to go to the Senate for consideration on April 21.

Despite a multi-year upswing in the national economy, the United States is not laying the foundation for its long-term prosperity says a new report issued by the Council on Competitiveness. If current policy and investment trends continue unchanged, the U.S. could lose its status as the world's preeminent innovator, according to The New Challenge to America's Prosperity: Findings from the Innovation Index.

The Montana House of Representatives narrowly approved a measure that, if passed by the Senate, will provide $9-$10 million a year for state research and development projects.

Montana House Bill 260 changes the way in which coal severance taxes are collected to allow a portion of the revenue to be designated for R&D spending.

The new program will support projects conducted at Montana's state universities and at tribal or state technical and community colleges. State agricultural research centers are also eligible for funding and at least 20 percent of the funding must be directed toward production agriculture projects.

The funds may be used for loans or for matching funds for federal or foundation grants.