Oklahoma Governor's Budget Consolidates OCAST and Commerce

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is among a list of 16 state agencies slated for consolidation in Gov. Brad Henry's budget proposal, which he says will result in cost savings of $5.3 million. Under the proposal, OCAST would be moved to the Department of Commerce, along with Aeronautics, Indian Affairs and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority. Funding for OCAST would be reduced by 3 percent, for a total $19.8 million in FY11. OCAST provides funding and resources to help businesses develop and commercialize technologies.

The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority would receive $442,538 in FY11, also a 3 percent reduction. In partnership with the private sector, the Authority establishes new aerospace industries and enhances existing aerospace industries to retain high-tech jobs.

In his State of the State Address last week, Gov. Henry urged lawmakers to provide a permanent funding source for the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) initiative, a proposal that has failed to garner legislative support the past two years (see the Aug. 12, 2009 issue of the Digest). Established in 2003, the endowment was envisioned as a $1 billion fund to support research and commercialization activities in the state. On Feb. 2, a bill (HB 3036) was introduced to eliminate the EDGE fund, directing its $150 million endowment toward solving the state's budget issues. The bill has been referred to the Appropriations Committee.

The 2011 Executive Budget is available at: http://www.ok.gov/OSF/documents/bud11.pdf