The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the
Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution.[economic development
In economics, economic development (or economic and social development) is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and object ...]
.
History
The position of Secretary of Science and Technology was established in 1999 when Governor
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony Keating II (born February 10, 1944, as David Rowland Keating) is an American attorney, politician and a former FBI special agent who served as the 25th governor of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003.
, Keating is one of only five gover ...
issued an
executive order
In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the ...
establishing the position. Previously, the
Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce had served the role of chief science officer of the State since 1986 when that position was established by the
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986.
Responsibilities
The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for ensuring that scientific research and development conducted by universities in the State coordinates with and enhances the State's business community. As of
fiscal year 2011, the Secretary oversees 26 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $38 million.
Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Science and Technology has not served in any such dual position.
The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for overseeing the
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and I ...
.
The Secretary of Science and Technology is one of the few Cabinet Secretary positions whose annual salary is not set by law.
Paragraph 3, Section 10.5, Title 74, Oklahoma Statutes
/ref> As such, it is left to the Governor to determine the Secretary's salary in the annual budget. As of 2010, all Science and Technology Secretaries have served without taking a salary.
List of secretaries
Secretary of Science and Technology (1998–present)
References
External links
Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Science and Technology
*Science and Technology
*Safety and Security