SSTI Digest

All incumbent governors that ran for re-election on Tuesday were re-elected. Only four gubernatorial races were for open seats (Indiana, New Hampshire, Washington, and West Virginia) and those elections resulted in no net gains for either the Democrats or Republicans. In New Hampshire, a Democrat was elected governor succeeding Republican Steve Merrill, while in West Virginia, a Republican will replace Democrat Gaston Caperton. Governors elected on Tuesday: Delaware -- Incumbent Democrat Thomas Carper Indiana -- Democrat Lieutenant Governor Frank O'Bannon succeeds Democrat Governor Evan Bayh, who could not run for a third term Missouri -- Incumbent Democrat Mel Carnahan Montana -- Incumbent Republican Marc Racicot New Hampshire -- Democrat State Senator Jeanne Shaheen succeeds Republican Governor Merrill, who did not seek re-election North Carolina -- Incumbent Democrat Jim Hunt North Dakota -- Incumbent Republican Edward Schaefer Utah -- Incumbent Republican Michael Leavitt Vermont -- Incumbent Democrat…

As with other races this year, there was little overall change in the control of state legislatures, although the Democrats did make some progress, based on figures compiled by the National Council of State Legislatures. Prior to the election: Republicans controlled both houses in 18 states Democrats controlled both houses in 16 states Control was split in 15 states After Tuesday's voting: Democrats control both houses in 20 states Republicans control both houses in 17 states Control is split in 12 states In three states, the House of Representatives changed from Republican to Democrat (California, Illinois, Michigan). In Nevada, the House had been tied, but is now led by the Democrats. In Indiana and Oregon, Republicans had a majority, but the membership is now tied between Republicans and Democrats. In Florida, the House changed from Democrat majority to Republican. In four states, the Senate also…

Advanced Technology Program (ATP) officials announced that they have received 309 proposals in the 1996 ATP general competition, which closed in mid-September. Preliminary analysis of the proposals shows strong concentrations in a wide variety of technology areas, including biotechnology, electronics, chemical processing, computer hardware and software, energy and manufacturing. Competitions in each of the last three years have received an average of 300 applications. Between $20-25 million in funding is expected to be distributed to winners. The announcement of projects selected for funding is expected in early 1997.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominees for Small Business Person of the Year. The deadline for nominations is November 15. A Small Business Person of the Year is selected from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. From this pool, one individual is selected as the national Small Business Person of the Year. Each state's Small Business Person of the Year must meet criteria which include staying power, growth in employment, increase in sales/unit volume, innovation, response to adversity, and evidence of contributions to their community. Advocate awards are also presented to persons who have used their professional skills or personal talents to further public understanding and awareness of small business. Candidates must have taken an active role in creating opportunities to promote the interests of small business. Advocate categories include : Women in Business, Minority, Veteran, Accountant, Financial Services and Media. Special awards are also presented to the Small Business Exporter and Young…

President Clinton recently announced his intention to nominate Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University, to the National Science Board, an advisory body to the National Science Foundation. The National Science Board recommends overall national policies for promoting basic research and education in the sciences. Lionel "Skip" Johns, associate director for technology at the White House's Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), announced he would be leaving his position in October. Sigfried Hecker, the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, announced that he is stepping aside in order to participate more closely in scientific collaboration between US and Russian researchers. Hecker has headed Los Alamos since 1986. Jay F. Honeycutt, the director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), has announced his plans to retire from NASA in early 1997. He became director in 1995. Dr. Robert Schrieffer (Physics, Florida State University and University of Florida), Dr. Kenneth J. Arrow (Economics, Stanford University), Dr. Elsa Garmire (…

President Clinton recently announced his intention to nominate Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University, to the National Science Board, an advisory body to the National Science Foundation. The National Science Board recommends overall national policies for promoting basic research and education in the sciences.

Lionel "Skip" Johns, associate director for technology at the White House's Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), announced he would be leaving his position in October.

Sigfried Hecker, the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, announced that he is stepping aside in order to participate more closely in scientific collaboration between US and Russian researchers. Hecker has headed Los Alamos since 1986.

Jay F. Honeycutt, the director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), has announced his plans to retire from NASA in early 1997. He became director in 1995.

Dr. Robert Schrieffer (Physics, Florida State University and University of Florida), Dr. Kenneth J. Arrow (Economics, Stanford University), Dr. Elsa Garmire (Engineering, Dartmouth College) and Dr. Joan Argetsinger Steitz (Life Sciences, Yale University) were chosen by President Clinton to serve on the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science. The National Medal of Science was created by federal law to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering.

Please take a few minutes to complete this form and return it to SSTI. We would like to have responses faxed back to us by November 8, 1996 Fax: 614-421-9123 Your Name: Approximately how many people in your office regularly read the SSTI Weekly Digest? Which articles do you read? Which 3 do you find most useful? Which types would you like to see more or less of Article Type We Read These Find These 3 Most Useful Include More of These Include Fewer of These Federal awards         Federal solicitations         Federal budgets         Federal program changes  …

A Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into between the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration (TA) and the National Governors' Association (NGA) to develop the U.S. Innovation Partnership (USIP). USIP will be developed to help combine and coordinate state and federal efforts in science and technology and manufacturing extension programs. USIP is intended to integrate inter-governmental policies and strategies to support the development of competitive businesses through innovation and the diffusion of technological resources. Seventeen governors have committed to participate on the USIP working group, and each governor has also committed the time of a senior policy advisor to serve on the USIP planning committee. Twelve federal agencies will be participating in the working group.   TA will analyze past state-federal activities; develop a high-level steering committee in cooperation with other agencies and the NGA to provide state-federal policy input; and develop information resources that will help better explain federal programs and involvement in science…