In our view, the 2001 State of the State message is a resounding success. The Governor has been both clear and forceful in reminding all New Yorkers that there is more that New York can, should, and will do to foster prosperity. And he has advanced solid ideas for sustaining the economic momentum he and his colleagues in the Legislature have done so much to create.
Governor Pataki has proposed building upon the New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) to create new university-based engines for high-tech economic development. This has the potential to make New York the world's leader, not only in technology-based reseach and development but also in the economic growth that new technologies will inevitably create. This is more than a sound investment in our academic institutions. It is a wise investment in our future.
We especially welcome Governor Pataki's proposal for an additional $1 billion initiative to foster intellectual, technical and economic growth based on emerging technology. A state commitment on this scale represents a bold and creative economic development initiative. An investment of this magnitude could do for New York what the silicon chip did for Silicon Valley.
These ideas are creative complements to those announced yesterday designed to further bolster the Upstate economy through tax cuts and other initiatives.
This agenda strengthens the economy we have today-while also laying the groundwork for the high-performance, high-tech industries of the future.
-30-