New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 7 - Executive Orders (David A. Paterson) › Section 7.19 - Executive order no. 19: establishing a task force on diversifying the new york state economy through industry-higher education partnerships

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
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; and
8. 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.]