Albany - The Assembly budget proposal calls for the creation of a task force to coordinate New York's wide array of programs designed to attract and retain businesses. The Temporary Task Force for Energy and Economic Development would recommend streamlining state initiatives for energy conservation, renewable energy, economic development and job creation. Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D - Ulster, Dutchess), Chair of the Assembly Committee, has been leading the call for a one stop approach for businesses and not-for-profits seeking to apply for state energy and economic development incentives.

"New York has many initiatives and multiple agencies that foster innovation, conservation and economic growth. However, businesses often have difficulty navigating the process to maximize benefits," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Creating one agency that is solely responsible for these programs would cut wasteful bureaucracy, improve administration and help New York's businesses gain a competitive advantage."

The proposal for the task force comes on the heels of a statewide series of hearings and roundtable discussions held by Assemblymember Cahill to discuss the future of the state's economic development power programs. The task force would focus on the potential for the creation of one authority and streamlined processes for businesses to access programs to lower energy costs, increase productivity, encourage capital investment and promote job creation and retention.

"After speaking to many business and economic development leaders, I am convinced that New York needs a one stop shop for energy and economic development," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Our system should be business friendly. With a single agency coordinating our many incentive programs, we can ensure that any door a company opens is the right one."

The task force would submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by November 15, 2010, presenting its findings regarding the feasibility of merging the Urban Development Corporation, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Job Development Authority, New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). A critical issue that will have to be addressed is the many programs administered by NYSERDA that are not related to economic development. In its final report, the task force would consider:

• programs and services of each of the entities, and the opportunities and barriers to their restructuring, merging, or consolidating;

• impact and potential for coordinating efforts, prevention of duplication of services, and sharing and maximization of resources;

• the potential to enhance current or planned renewable energy, economic development, job creation, and environmental conservation programs; and

• the increased ability to promote and facilitate statewide planning of economic, energy, and environmental needs.