Louis Branscomb has long been a strong voice on the state of the innovation economy in the US. In this commentary, he outlines the decline of the U. S. relative position in innovation. He suggests how the state and local governments can combine with the private sector to help provide a national response to our innovation challenge. Read more. He also points the importance of reading the recent National Academy of Sciences report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm". You can download the report here. (You need to register to download.)