WHEREAS, New York State has long been a birthplace of innovations and innovators that have revolutionized their fields and improved the quality of life of New Yorkers and all Americans; and
WHEREAS, New York is home to thousands of companies ranging from individual entrepreneurs to small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations; and
WHEREAS, New York is home to more than 200 world-class institutions of public and private higher education including major research universities and national laboratories; and
WHEREAS, New York must create an environment which attracts businesses into its borders, grows existing businesses and incubates new businesses; and
WHEREAS, New York has existing strength and competitive advantages in industries such as energy technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and agriculture; and
WHEREAS, New York today faces economic challenges unrivaled since the Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, in New York State, extensive synergies exist between higher education and industry that have the potential to expand and multiply to generate further job creation and economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, in the face of climate change, a global financial crisis, and rising costs of inputs into traditional business models, New York must create a plan for sustainable development; and
WHEREAS, despite present economic challenges, New York must identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth and develop an effective strategic plan to achieve such growth;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
1. There is hereby established the Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships.2. The Task Force shall consist of 14 members appointed by the Governor and including representatives from public and private higher education institutions, industry and others with relevant knowledge and expertise.3. The Governor shall select a Chair of the Task Force from among the members. A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum, and all recommendations of the Task Force shall require approval of a majority of the total members of the Task Force.4. The Governor shall appoint an Executive Director of the Task Force, who shall be an employee of one of the State agencies or instrumentalities herein directed by the Governor to render assistance to the Task Force.5. The Task Force may, as it deems necessary, draw upon the human resources and expertise of any agency, department, office, division or public authority of this State. Additionally, the Task Force may draw upon the human resources and expertise of private institutions, including those institutions associated with individuals appointed to the Task Force, as those private institutions deem appropriate. Such assistance shall be provided without financial remuneration and shall not be provided with any intent to influence the deliberations of the Task Force to the advantage of the participating private entity.6. The Task Force may establish such committees as it deems necessary to facilitate the analysis and formulation of recommendations pertaining to specific areas of inquiry and concern, and may enlist the assistance of experts in the subject matter of each committee.7. No Task Force member shall engage in any activity which is in conflict with the proper and effective discharge of such person's official duties associated with the Task Force. The Task Force's inquiry shall include analysis of:
1. Existing economic strengths and competitive advantages of New York State industry with respect in particular to renewable energy generation and storage, biotechnology, nanotechnology, animal and human health medicine, sustainable agriculture, food and wine, and related areas;2. Existing partnerships in New York between industry and higher education including an evaluation of such collaborations as found in the Centers of Excellence program, the Centers for Advanced Technology program and elsewhere;3. Best practices related to industry-higher education partnerships in New York State as well as those found in peer states nationally and internationally;4. Mechanisms and infrastructure for the strengthening of existing companies and fostering of new companies in identified growth sectors. The Task Force shall make recommendations which it deems necessary and advisable for:
1. Improving, expanding and encouraging connections between higher education institutions and industry;2. Accelerating translation from basic research to commercialization and industrial applications, including the development of new products, processes and patents;3. Incubating new businesses in emerging and high-growth fields;4. Identifying policies and regulatory changes which may be necessary to enhance opportunities for effective collaboration among industry, higher education institutions and laboratories;5. Identifying opportunities for New York State higher education institutions to support New York's agricultural economy;6. Positioning New York as a leader in the green economy and creating strategies for economic development in New York that is environmentally sustainable;7. Identifying opportunities for private investment in the incubation and ongoing support of companies in target fields in New York State; and8. Identifying those means necessary to achieve the above-stated aims, in particular those opportunities not requiring significant financial investment, in recognition of the State's limited capacity at the current time. In undertaking its review and analysis, the Task Force may request documents, conduct public hearings, take the testimony of witnesses in the form and manner which it deems most efficient, consult with experts concerning the issues specified herein, and take all other actions necessary or advisable for carrying out its functions.
The Task Force shall issue a report of recommendations on or before December 15, 2009. This report shall be submitted to the Governor, the Chairman and President of the Urban Development Corporation, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Assembly. Immediately following the issuance of its report, the authority of the Task Force provided for in this Order shall expire and its work shall be deemed complete.
No member of the Task Force shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment by virtue of his or her appointment hereunder. Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their functions hereunder. All members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Every agency, department, office, division or public authority of this State shall cooperate with the Task Force and furnish such information and assistance as the Task Force determines is reasonably necessary to accomplish its purpose.
Signed: David A. PatersonDated: May 13, 2009
[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 7.19