Arizona Approves $35M Tech Fund; Strong Public Support for S&T
Making the single largest TBED related investment in its history, the Arizona legislature approved and Gov. Janet Napolitano signed the state's FY 2006-07 budget, which includes $35 million for the new Arizona 21st Century Competitive Initiative Fund. HB 2477 is the successor in concept to the Innovation Arizona fund proposed by Gov. Napolitano during her State-of-the-State Address earlier this year. The new fund will support scientific, medical and engineering research programs and infrastructure in targeted fields, particularly biosciences.
Despite its size, the $35 million investment is only 70 percent of the funding sought by bioscience groups and many legislators. The original bill called for $50 million during FY 2006-07 and $100 million over the next four years. An article in the Arizona Republic reports that the amount was scaled back despite private offers to match a larger state investment. State business groups, represented by the Greater Phoenix Leadership, continued to object to the allocation because it draws $15 million from the Arizona Job Training Fund for the coming year. Supporters maintain there are sufficient funds for both programs. The Governor's Office has said that the push for additional bioscience funding will continue in upcoming years.
In 2000, the state earmarked $1 billion over 20 years for university research and K-12 education through Proposition 301. Funding from that program has led to the establishment of advanced biodesign research facilities at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. The current measure will augment those efforts by attracting world-class researchers and funding technology commercialization at state universities.
A recent survey of Arizona residents reveals strong popular support for these statewide science and technology initiatives. The phone survey of 793 heads of households, conducted by the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University, concludes that regardless of age, gender or income, Arizonans expect science and technology to create high-paying jobs and drive economic development. According to the survey, 87 percent of Arizonans believe science and technology lead to the creation of high-paying jobs, and 84 percent think science and technology play important roles in economic development.
The report is good news for state business groups attempting to find political support for research funding. Sixty-three percent said that they were more likely to vote for candidates who place a high-priority on strengthening science and technology research. A majority of respondents indicated that they would be willing to support high-tech economic development initiatives, even if those efforts required additional taxes. The authors conclude that Arizonans view science and technology as vital to economic growth and are willing to support more targeted programs like the 21st Century Fund.
Read the results of the Morrison Institute survey at: http://www.asu.edu/copp/morrison/