August is National Inventors Month. As we recognize the bright minds that continually strive to better and advance our way of life, it’s important to bear in mind the obstacles these trailblazers face on their path to innovation. A successfully realized idea is the product of education, research and marketing – and more than a little fortitude. Without the proper ingredients in the right measure, the most groundbreaking ideas can be derailed, our most brilliant minds thwarted. That’s why I’ve worked hard in the Assembly to advance legislation that fosters creativity and bridges the gap between imagination and realization.

To commemorate last year’s celebration of National Inventors Month, I launched the Creative Core Regional Portal – an online service designed to attract technology- and innovation-based businesses to Central New York. This year, my colleagues and I took a more comprehensive approach.

I authored a bill that passed the Assembly to help bioscience research institutions and organizations develop education curricula and workforce training (A.10255). The bill, which would provide funding on a competitive basis, would bring New York’s bioscience centers up to federal regulation standards and provide assistance to businesses that conduct research leading to the development of products that improve human health or agriculture.

I also authored legislation that passed the Assembly to create a commercialization assistance fund as part of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (A.390). The fund would allow the foundation to provide grants and invest in new companies that promote commercialization of new technologies developed at research institutions within the state.

Additionally, I sponsored legislation to:

• award grants to colleges and universities that work with New York-based small manufacturers in the research and development of products and technologies (A.391-A); and
• ensure New York-based companies are given precedence when state-funded research institutions outsource for goods and services (A.389, passed the Assembly).

With an eye toward global climate change, I authored legislation that awaits the governor’s signature to create the New York State Greenhouse Gases Management Research and Development Program (A.3414). The program would provide grants to research entities within the state for research promoting new technologies to address greenhouse gas pollution, while firmly establishing New York as a leader in “green” technology.

New York depends upon its many inventors for success, both at home and on the global stage. Moving forward, I remain committed to securing our position as an international leader in the field of innovation, ensuring all of New York’s pioneers have the opportunity to bring their dreams to fruition.