The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) first announced during an April 28 appearance at the National Veterans Resource Center at Syracuse University. 

A majority of Senators voted yes on the proposed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, Schumer’s office said in a June 9 news release. It combines Schumer’s Endless Frontier Act, along with other competitiveness bills.

The measure also includes $52 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to implement the semiconductor-related manufacturing and research and development (R&D) programs authorized in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act and a program to support “legacy chip production that is essential” to the auto industry, the military, and other critical industries, Schumer’s office said. 

The proposed Endless Frontier Act seeks to maintain and build on U.S. science and technology leadership through investments in research and development and “strengthening” regional economic development, manufacturing, and supply chains. The legislation would authorize roughly $120 billion over five years for activities at the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“Senate passage of the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act moves forward historic legislation to invest in science, technology, and U.S. manufacturing that will shore up critical industries like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced communications like 5G, quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced energy, and create opportunity to reshape the Upstate New York economy with investment in new regional tech hubs and support for New York entrepreneurs and research at universities and laboratories,” Schumer said.

President Biden reacts 

In reaction, President Joseph Biden said the legislation addresses key elements that were included in his American Jobs Plan, per the White House website. 

“It is long past time that we invest in American workers and American innovation. Along with the American Jobs Plan, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act would make generational investments in research and development and advanced manufacturing to help us grow critical industries and win the jobs of the future. It will empower us to discover, build, and enhance tomorrow’s most vital technologies — from artificial intelligence, to computer chips, to the lithium batteries used in smart devices and electric vehicles — right here in the United States. By strengthening our innovation infrastructure, we can lay the foundation for the next generation of American jobs and American leadership in manufacturing and technology,” Biden said. “We are in a competition to win the 21st century, and the starting gun has gone off. As other countries continue to invest in their own research and development, we cannot risk falling behind. America must maintain its position as the most innovative and productive nation on Earth. I look forward to working with the House of Representatives on this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as possible.”

Regional leaders react

Schumer’s June 9 release also included reaction from leaders in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier. 

“This is a pivotal moment for our nation’s innovation and science infrastructure,” Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud said. “The Endless Frontiers Act will enable Syracuse University and other major research universities to help jumpstart the United States’ competitiveness. It will also allow our nation’s great research universities to accelerate discovery, advance new technologies and develop life-saving materials, treatments and medicines. I thank Senator Schumer for his leadership in this area and look forward to building a stronger, more competitive innovation ecosystem here in Central New York and across the nation.”

Steven DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE, said the proposed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 represents the nation’s “single largest investment” in American innovation and manufacturing since Sputnik 1 “ushered in a new era of political, scientific and technological achievements that propelled the United States commitment to the Space Age.” 

“This bipartisan piece of legislation fosters public-private partnerships that will improve the United States’ competitiveness in semiconductor technology, increase manufacturing jobs with expansion of new Fabs to reverse the off-shorting of jobs and technology, and strengthen critical supply chains that are vital to this nation’s economy and national security interests,” said DiMeo.

“Binghamton University, with its reputation as a research institution with strong industry partnerships, is well-positioned to fulfill Senator Schumer’s plan of making New York state a global innovation and semiconductor hub,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “Senator Schumer understands that path-breaking research and commercialization efforts must be well-funded in order for the United States to remain globally competitive. We thank the Senator for his laser focus on this issue and for advocating for New York. Binghamton stands ready to work with our industry and academic partners on technology advances and solutions that secure the U.S. and NY’s leadership in this critical industry.”                

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 8 proposed legislation to waive taxes on grants from the state’s $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant program. 

Not long after Cuomo’s announcement, the New York State Senate and Assembly approved the legislation, per the website of Long Island State Senator Anna Kaplan (D–North Hills). Both Kaplan and State Assemblyman Erik Dilan (D–Brooklyn) introduced the legislation in their respective chambers.

Small and micro businesses, along with small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations could start applying for the grant funding June 10. The funding is meant to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, Cuomo’s office said. 

“Small businesses have long been the backbone of New York State’s economy but were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was critically important that the state stepped up to help this critical sector,” Cuomo said. “We want to make sure all $800 million of the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant program is available to help grantees, and this legislation will eliminate state taxes on that funding so we can get every single dollar into the pockets of businesses and help rebuild New York’s economy for the future.” 

Flexible grants up to $50,000 will be made available to eligible small businesses. Recipients can use the funding for operating expenses, including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, personal protective equipment, or other business expenses incurred during the pandemic. 

More than 330,000 small and micro businesses are potentially eligible for this program, including 57 percent of New York’s certified minority and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBEs).

The program

The small-business recovery grant program will provide funding to small and micro businesses and small for-profit, independent arts and cultural organizations to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. 

The state will give priority to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including MWBEs; service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses; and businesses located in “economically distressed” communities, Cuomo’s office said. 

Grant amounts will range from a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 and will be calculated based on a New York State business’ annual gross receipts for 2019. 

Reimbursable COVID-19 related expenses must have been incurred between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021. They can include payroll costs, commercial rent or mortgage payments for state-based property, payment of local property or school taxes, insurance costs, and utility costs. 

The expenses can also include costs of personal protection equipment necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning costs; other machinery or equipment costs; and supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols, per Cuomo’s office.