Pennsylvania Governor Continues Push for Energy Strategy, Research Fund

Several months of debate leading into a special legislative session late last year was not enough to convince lawmakers to approve funding for two of the governor’s major TBED priorities. With the release of the fiscal year 2008-09 budget recommendation, Gov. Ed Rendell is again asserting the importance of the alternative energy legislation and the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, urging lawmakers to quickly enact the initiatives.

 

The alternative energy legislation calls for an $850 million bond issue securitized by an electric power public benefits charge to fund energy independence programs (see the Feb. 12, 2007 issue of the Digest). Additionally, the governor’s budget recommends $500 million – a portion of the state’s Tobacco Settlement Fund – in seed funding for the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund for biosciences research, biotechnology commercialization and investment capital.

 

The governor’s recommendation for the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Fund is nearly a $3 million less than last fiscal year. No funding is recommended for assistive technology ($500,000 decrease), telecommunications infrastructure ($6 million decrease), or innovative partnerships ($500,000 decrease). However, funding for Ben Franklin Technology Partners would increase by $4.4 million.

 

Gov. Rendell’s budget recommendation augments funding for Department of Education priorities in math and science and workforce preparation, including:

• $90 million (the same level as last fiscal year) for the Classrooms for the Future Initiative preparing students for high-tech careers by equipping students with enhanced technology and laptop computers and teachers with extensive technology training;
• $15 million ($1.5 million increase) for the Science: Its Elementary program, a K-6 initiative to provide resources for hands-on learning and extensive teacher training;
• $11 million ($3 million increase) for Project 720, an initiative requiring college and career-ready curriculum for high school students; and,
• $12 million ($2 million increase) for dual enrollment programs.

Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget recommendation and Budget Address are available at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=377825&mode=2