Govs Speak Out for Tech-based ED, Research

Partisan politics take a back seat when the nation's governors talk about the need for stronger national innovation policies. Ample proof of this is offered policy position statements approved at the two most recent meetings of the Western Governors' Association and the National Governors Association.

Both resolutions call for increased federal support of basic research. The Western Governors' Association, representing 18 states, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, also called for Congress to make the federal R&D tax credit permanent, to provide more funding for science and math education, and to help level international tax policies to encourage domestic investment.

During its recent annual meeting, the larger National Governors Association adopted the first major revisions of its National Research, Development And Technology Policy Position statement since 2003. The statement addresses six issues, including improved technology transfer from federal laboratories and sustained federal funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Advanced Technology Program, and aeronautical technology R&D. The first recommendation in the two-page statement is new, however, and calls for the creation of a "State-Federal Technology Partnership to Encourage Commercialization." The statement reads:

"Technology and innovation drive the creation of new companies. Studies of company formation consistently show that a vital fraction of start-ups are founded around spun-out university developed technology. Yet, current practices in commercializing technology from public-funded research are not keeping up with the needs of the states and the nation in this critical area.

It is in the nation's best interest to develop a new system that will commercialize technology efficiently and effectively to increase the state and federal governments' return on investment. This system should be based on states' economic development capabilities in linking researchers and entrepreneurs with each other, and sources of capital and business expertise.

  Since states have more interaction and knowledge of local marketplaces, this new system could be locally managed by a state, independent entity, or locality, while the federal government could provide support and guidance to encourage the implementation of best practices.

  To stimulate a more efficient state-federal partnership in the commercialization of technology, the federal government should do the following.

Support federal investment to develop a national network in partnership with the states that will accelerate the commercialization of technology in local marketplaces and assist in the creation and growth of technology companies.  

Promote greater coordination and communication among federal agencies in their approaches to encourage innovation as an economic growth strategy."

The Western Governor's Association Policy Resolution 05-01 on U.S. Economic Competitiveness is available at: http://www.westgov.org/wga/policy/05/competitiveness.pdf

The National Research, Development and Technology Policy of the National Governors Association is available at: http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.8358ec82f5b198d18a278110501010a0/?vgnextoid=

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