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Senator Bruno unveiled his highly-successful Gen*NY*sis plan back in December of 2000. |
Thursday, January 1, 2004
New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick) today announced the creation of a select Senate Task Force on Economic Development and the Emerging Industries. The new "NextGen" Task Force will build upon recent State investments achieved through the Senate�s "Gen*NY*sis" (Generating Employment Through New York Science) program and the Governor�s "Centers of Excellence" initiative and address the business-side, or "phase II," issues confronting the State�s high-technology and biotechnology firms.
"The Gen*NY*sis program has made New York very competitive both nationally and globally, when it comes to biotechnology economic development," Senator Bruno said. "The NextGen Task Force, chaired by Senator Dean Skelos, will look at the future of biotech and high tech with an eye towards future investments that will keep New York on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, strengthen our economy and create new jobs."
As contained within the 2002 New York State Budget, Governor Pataki and the Legislature allocated approximately $500 million to fund several high-tech and biotechnology capital projects, thereby encouraging growth in the State�s burgeoning emerging industry sectors. Currently, construction is ongoing at designated public, not-for-profit and private academic research institutions across New York. Through this historic State initiative, an additional $3 billion has been leveraged for these projects.
"From Long Island to Buffalo, New York State has made a substantial commitment to build a dynamic, 21st Century economy," said Senator Skelos. "While this was an important first step, we need to analyze the needs of our high-tech and biotech business communities and implement the policies necessary to turn state-of-the-art scientific research into new products and high-paying jobs."
Notwithstanding these substantial investments, the State�s ability to attract and retain high-tech and biotechnology businesses has encountered various challenges. Specifically, the Task Force will investigate these barriers to growth and develop public policy recommendations designed to facilitate the availability of necessary capital, lower involved operational costs, promote private sector financing and enhance the State�s attractiveness for both entrepreneurs and established companies.
The Senate "NextGen" Task Force will hold public hearings soliciting the input and participation of industry executives, municipal officials and other involved parties throughout New York State. Senator Bruno appointed Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) to chair the Task Force and he will be joined by Senators Kenneth LaValle (R-C, Port Jefferson), Nicholas Spano (R-C, Westchester), James Alesi (R-C, Perinton), Raymond Meier (R-C, Western), John Bonacic (R-Mount Hope) and Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn).
Beginning with the landmark "Jobs 2000" ("J2K") program, the Senate has championed high-tech job creation in New York State. Given the success of "Gen*NY*sis," the "NextGen" Task Force will issue a comprehensive report detailing the status of the State�s emerging industries, including a series of proposals for the Legislature�s consideration. This package will form the basis of future Senate economic development initiatives.
At present, the "NextGen" Task Force is scheduling public hearings in New York City, Rochester, Albany and on Long Island. The Task Force will conduct these hearings during January.
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