Kolb, Assembly Minority Unveil “New Edison Project”

March 9, 2006

Assemblyman Brian Kolb comments on the “New Edison Project,” an Assembly minority package of initiatives designed to encourage the academic study of and careers in math and sciences.

Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) and his Assembly Minority colleagues today unveiled the New Edison Project, a package of initiatives designed to encourage New York’s students to study and excel in math and sciences. The package builds on existing programs, creates others and includes related initiatives submitted by the governor in his 2006-07 executive budget proposal.

“We propose this program to make New York a leader in the development of the sciences and math,” said Kolb. “Education is our number one resource in this state, and New York is poised to become the front-runner in today’s technological world.

While the United States three decades ago was ranked third in the world in number of students between the ages of 18 and 24 receiving science degrees, that number has fallen to 17th today. Universities in Asian countries produce eight times as many bachelor’s degrees in engineering as the United States.

The New Edison Project looks to foster an interest in the sciences and math by encouraging creation of public/private partnerships, providing tax credits for donations, and expanding the TAP program for math, science and engineering majors.

Assemblyman Kolb noted these proposals represent creative ideas that would rekindle an interest in the next generation of students to explore the science and math fields. New York will need graduates in these fields so it can become and remain a competitive leader in the new, technology-driven global economy.

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