SSTI Digest

By streamlining what has been perceived as a lengthy review process for university technology licensing deals, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger hopes to eliminate barriers between Oregon universities and entrepreneurs, thereby accelerating private sector job creation. Unlike most other states, Oregon law mandates the state Department of Justice conduct a separate legal review for its larger technology transfer deals. Tony Green, spokesman for Attorney General John Kroger, said the perception that the process moves more slowly in Oregon was impeding the state's ability to make deals. The attorney general's office reviewed how other states handled their review process and met with representatives in the venture capital community and attorneys who represent private clients in technology transfer negotiations. The reforms announced by the attorney general's office last week to eliminate the mandatory review by the Department of Justice, considered "cumbersome and unwarranted" by special assistant attorneys general employed by the universities to conduct the review, was met with praise by university and business leaders. The universities, with assistance…

The second installment of the Tech Talkin' Govs series includes highlights from state of the state, budget and inaugural addresses delivered by the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont.  Arizona  Gov. Janet Napolitano, State of the State Address, Jan. 9, 2009 "Arizona must stay on the path toward a greener future..We also must work to limit our greenhouse gas emissions through the Western Climate Initiative, and move forward in building a strong renewable energy sector, particularly with respect to solar energy. The entire nation is going in this direction - and Arizona has much to gain by being a leader." Colorado  Gov. Bill Ritter, State of the State Address, Jan. 8, 2009  "By reviving the Colorado Credit Reserve Program, we can give thousands of small businesses vital access to credit and capital. .. ". By enacting House Bill 1001, the job-creation tax credit I announced last month, we can level the playing field with other states when it comes to attracting new companies and new jobs. ... …

Gov. Ted Kulongoski unveiled his fiscal year 2009-11 recommended budget this week, highlighting the need for targeted investments in nanoscience, manufacturing, and renewable energy research based on recommendations developed by the Oregon Innovation Council. The governor's plan aims to expand and diversify the state's economic base by attracting new industries and companies, building on the $28.2 million innovation plan signed into law last year (see the Aug. 1, 2007 issue of the Digest). The governor's budget proposal dedicates $20.5 million from lottery funds across the following: $5.7 million for the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), the state's first signature research center that conducts R&D in micro- and nanotechnology; $3.5 million for wave energy research; $3.2 million to continue renewable energy investments through the Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies signature research center; $2.8 million for the Oregon Translational Research and Drug Discovery Institute, which focuses on R&D and commercialization in controlling infectious disease; $2.3 million for the Forestry Cluster Initiative to increase technology…

Oregon Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has unveiled a suite of policies to address global climate change and support the state's renewable energy and clean technology industries. His proposals include instituting a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, improving the energy efficiency of commercial and residential construction, and tax credits for energy-conscious investments. The governor hopes to see the climate plan passed by the legislature in the coming year. The governor's recommendations include: Participating in a regional cap and trade program that would go into effect in 2012; Giving local governments bonding authority for energy efficiency projects; Expanding the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) and creating a BETC Energy Fund to support renewable energy projects; and Creating an incentive pilot program for solar energy that would pay for the electricity produced by solar projects, instead of a traditional program offering capital investments. Governor Kulongoski says the plan will cost an estimated $10 million, and will be possible despite the current economic crisis. The governor maintains that by investing in new energy…

While the Presidential election takes center stage on November 4, voters in several states also will cast their votes on statewide ballot issues affecting the TBED community. In addition to the 11 gubernatorial races and more than 5,800 state legislative seats up for grabs, voters across the nation will consider measures to provide funding for public education, expand investment in alternative and renewable energy, lift restrictions on stem-cell research, and eliminate income tax and state spending caps. Following is a summary of selected ballot issues from across the nation. Funding Public Education Florida Florida voters will be asked to amend the state constitution to require that the legislature authorize counties to levy a local option sales tax to supplement funding for public community colleges. Ballot question 8 requires voter approval to levy the tax. Maryland A proposal in Maryland asks voters to approve an amendment to the state constitution authorizing video lottery terminal gaming to provide funds for public education. Question 2 legalizes up to 15,000 machines at sites in four counties and the city of Baltimore. HB 4 requires…

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is seeking someone to serve as its manager of business and community services. This position is responsible for oversight of staff that administers several state and federal incentive programs to assist in the growth of Michigan companies and the creation of jobs, including Economic Development Job Training, Renaissance Zone and Community Development Block Grant Programs. A bachelor’s degree in any major is required. In addition, candidates should have two years of experience as a professional manager or program/staff specialist, or equivalent experience. The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) is recruiting to fill the position of innovation policy analyst in its Innovation and Economic Strategies Division. The primary purpose of this position is to support the development and execution of an Oregon Innovation Plan that identifies economic development recommendations to grow the state’s knowledge-based economy. A bachelor's degree in business or public administration,…

Last week, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) held its annual national meeting in Portland, Ore. The gathering brought together laboratory technology transfer specialists, industry representatives and state and regional TBED organizations, among others, to discuss pertinent issues such as changes in federal legislation affecting intellectual property and SBIR reauthorization, STEM education initiatives, funding opportunities, and best practices for encouraging the successful commercialization of research. The conference also served as an entry point for those new to collaborating with the nation’s system of federal laboratories, presenting their tools and programs that can be used to enhance commercialization partnerships.    At the invitation of the FLC’s State & Local Government Committee, SSTI joined the leadership of two state TBED organizations in a conference session describing the landscape of state tech-based economic development and exploring best practices and examples of collaborative efforts. From a federal laboratory’s perspective, partnering with a state TBED organization makes sense because…

Many state and regional TBED organizations see federal laboratories as an integral partner in their efforts to promote technology development and commercialization. At least 22 of the leading state TBED organizations across the country have established partnerships with at least one federal laboratory to address a broad range of goals, according to a recent SSTI survey. Advancing collaborative research, strengthening industry clusters, transferring technology to/from federal labs and companies, and assisting in education and outreach were the most commonly cited reasons for pursuing closer relationships with the nation's network of 700 federal labs and research centers. The survey also found state TBED-federal lab collaboration crosses state boundaries more easily than some may expect: SSTI discovered one-third of all relationships state TBED organizations have with federal laboratories take place at laboratories outside of their state. In addition, more state and local TBED organizations are looking to form new partnerships or expanding existing arrangements based on the successes seen from their initial efforts. Understanding the opportunity and establishing…

Earlier this month, Oregon’s University Venture Development Fund began operations, which will allow the state’s taxpayers to receive a 60 percent income tax credit on contributions that will be applied toward commercialization and entrepreneurial programs at Oregon’s eight public universities. Authorized by the state legislature, the fund will enable $14 million to be provided to the universities in aggregate, with each institution’s allocation formulated by its annual income from research grants and contracts.   The program allows individuals or corporate donors to make unrestricted gifts of cash or publicly traded stock to one or more of the selected universities. Upon university receipt of the contribution, the donor will receive a tax credit for Oregon income tax equal to 60 percent of the original donation. The credit that can be claimed by the donor in a year is 20 percent of the original contribution or $50,000 – whichever is less and does not exceed the donor’s tax liability. Any remaining income tax credits will rollover to subsequent years.   The full University Venture Development Fund program comes after the…

Dr. J. Timothy Stout has been named to the newly created position of vice president for commercialization strategies at Oregon Heath and Science University.

The Four-County Economic Development Corp. in Portland, Ore., has changed its name to Greenlight Greater Portland.

Oregon lawmakers haveagreed to fund nearly all of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s innovation proposals, including investments in seven new industry initiatives and the creation of two new signature research centers. The innovation plan passed by lawmakers falls $10 million short of the original $38 million proposal introduced by the Oregon Innovation Council and included in Gov. Kulongoski’s fiscal year 2007-09 budget released in December 2006 (see the Dec. 18, 2006 issue of the Digest).   Gov. Kulongoski signed four bills encompassing the initiative, Senate Bills 5508, 579 and 582 and House Bill 5035. SB 5508 includes $9 million over the biennium for Oregon’s first signature research center, the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) - $1 million less than the governor’s recommendation - and $2.5 million for a new signature research center, the Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Center. Research conducted by the BEST Center will focus on clean energy, bio-based products and green building.   Additionally, SB 5508 includes $2.9 million to support manufacturing competitiveness, such as advanced training…