Oklahoma’s research and innovation sector suffered a serious setback Tuesday, many industry observers believe. About 80 percent of endowed chairs and lectureships are dedicated for disciplines in science, technology, engineering, math and science, said Ben Hardcastle, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Hardcastle said 749 accounts at 22 institutions statewide are awaiting dollar-for-dollar matching state funds to $279 million in donations by individuals or businesses. Of those 749 accounts, 276 are on Oklahoma State University campuses and 400 on University of Oklahoma campuses.A $6.8 billion budget bill passed by the General Conference Committee and heading to the full Senate and House for consideration would eliminate a five-year program that funds start-up high-tech companies in the state. Senate Bill 1969 among other things calls for an end to the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) Fund, transferring its $161 million in principal to the state higher education budget to be used to match a backlog of privately funded endowed chairs with state funds.
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-budget-bill-to-kill-edge-program/article/3677810
