House Unanimously Approves Green Jobs Initiative

Bill will promote workforce training in clean energy sector, assist expansion of green companies in Commonwealth

BOSTON – In an effort to grow jobs in the Commonwealth’s burgeoning clean energy sector, The House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation to encourage green start-up companies to expand in Massachusetts and provide individuals of all income levels with the job skills needed to excel in the state’s budding green economy.

“The clean energy industry stands to be a significant revenue and job generator for Massachusetts. The green jobs bill will ensure that people of all income levels can take advantage of the jobs created in this new and promising sector and encourage companies to expand their operations in the Bay State,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“From the outset of this legislative session, the House made energy reform its top priority. Today we add to this session’s clean energy agenda with a bill that will not only bolster our efforts to change the way we consume, produce and deliver energy in the Commonwealth but also grow jobs and provide new opportunities for our workforce,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“I commend the Speaker on his continued leadership in solidifying the Commonwealth as a national leader in the green movement. His Green Communities Law is groundbreaking and will develop great demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Massachusetts. This Green Jobs bill will create the workforce and develop the industry needed to service that demand. It’s going to put thousands of people to work throughout the entire state and create sustainable economic development in an industry that has great potential for the commonwealth,” said Representative Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

The bill establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state’s lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.

The bill establishes two types of job growth grants to be administered by the Center: Clean Energy Seed Grant and Green Jobs Initiative Grant. The Clean Energy Seed Grant will award funding to clean energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their organization and grow jobs. The Green Jobs Grant Initiative will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.

The bill is revenue neutral. Under the bill, $43 million from the Massachusetts Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund and $5 million from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund will be transferred to the Center to administer grants and facilitate economic growth. In FY09 budget, $3.95 million was allocated to fund a clean energy industry study, operations at the Center, and three different green job growth programs that will be administered by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, including the Pathways out of Poverty workforce development grant to train low and moderate income individuals for jobs in the clean energy sector.

The Center will also develop a state-wide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.

House Overwhelmingly Approves Summer Sales Tax Holiday

Bipartisan effort will provide shoppers with two-day sales tax break

BOSTON – For the fifth consecutive year, the House overwhelmingly voted today to give consumers a two-day sales tax break and provide a shot-in-the-arm to retailers and the economy.

The bill designates August 16th and 17th as the summer sales tax holiday weekend, exempting single item purchases of $2,500 or less from the state’s 5 percent sales tax. The Department of Revenue estimates, over the last two years sales tax holidays have increased overall economic activity by $3.2 million.

“Creating an incentive for consumers to shop during a traditionally slow sales period is good for business and our economy. This legislation is a win-win for buyers and sellers alike. A summer sales tax reprieve will boost sales for retailers and deliver discounts to consumers,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“Over the last four years, the economic stimulus generated by the sales tax holiday has delivered a much-needed revenue boost to Massachusetts’ businesses during the dog days of summer. When businesses experience a growth in sales, the overall economic impact on the Commonwealth is great and I am pleased to see this bill pass with overwhelming support again this year,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“By offering a weekend long sales tax holiday, we are giving taxpayers a much needed break. It’s as much a psychological thing as it is economic. We remind people that we are looking out for them and are sympathetic to the tough times our constituents are facing. I am proud that we were able to accomplish such a beneficial piece of legislation in a bipartisan manner,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

“The sales tax holiday is important to Massachusetts consumers as well as businesses. We have seen over the last four years the sales tax holiday’s repeated success. With prices rising across the Commonwealth, the tax-free weekend is something we can do to help consumers as well as boost the economy,” said Representative John Binienda (D-Worcester), Chairman of the House Committee on Revenue.

The exemption does not apply to automobile, motor boat, meals and tobacco product sales as well as telecommunication services and gas, steam and electricity. The bill now proceeds to the Senate. It has the public support of both Senate President Murray and Governor Deval Patrick.

HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES $1 BILLION LIFE SCIENCES PACKAGE

Landmark legislation aims to bolster state’s biotech industry, spur job creation

Boston – The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly voted to invest $1 billion in the state’s burgeoning life sciences industry. The economic development package takes a targeted approach to growing high-paying, quality jobs, drawing biotech companies to Massachusetts, and retaining talented scientists and researchers at state institutions.

The 10-year initiative includes $250 million in tax credits for life sciences companies that promise to create jobs in the Commonwealth and $250 million in direct research grants to encourage the best and brightest in the industry to continue research in Massachusetts, and $500 million in capital investments in the industry.

“The life sciences industry has the capacity to produce life-saving results. The investments we have made, to bolster the biotech sector and support the talented scientists and researchers of our state, are investments in the future of healthcare,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

House Speaker Salavatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston) said of the historic legislation, “The biotech industry has been a valuable economic engine for our state and the investments we voted for today will fuel that engine. This bill will open the next chapter of economic prosperity in the Commonwealth and keep our state on the forefront of science and technology worldwide.”

“This bill spends our money in an intelligent manner in order to develop the life sciences industry, an important economic driver with the state. The newly created programs will help grow jobs statewide and increase opportunities for all
Massachusetts residents. It is through our reliance on dynamic innovation, such as life science research, that Massachusetts has in the past and will in the future, weather times of economic uncertainty,” said Representative Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

“Massachusetts is home to the world’s largest super-cluster of life science companies. Other states and countries are going to great lengths to lure these companies away from us. This bill provides us the tools to retain these companies and incentives to attract new life sciences companies to the Commonwealth,” said Representative Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), House Chairman of the Legislative Biotech Caucus.

Other highlights of the bill include:

• Capital investments in the life sciences industry, including $90 million for the RNAi Center at the University of Massachusetts to promote the work of Professor Craig Mello, the Nobel laureate, $95 million to create a life sciences center at UMass-Amherst and $120 million to establish the Massachusetts Life Sciences Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Jobs Capital Program Trust Fund.

• Direct grants and programs for the industry, such as $40 million for seed money to address federal funding shortfalls for life science research, $30 million to aid post-doctoral and graduate students studying life sciences and the establishment of new grant programs to boost the biotechnology workforce ($25 million).

• Tax incentives for certified $25 million companies per year, including a tax credit toward the purchase of property for life science companies, extending from five- to 15-years the tax exemption for life science companies and additional tax credits for companies located in Economic Opportunity Areas throughout the state.

HOUSE PASSES BILL CREATING COMMONWEALTH CORPS

Will help promote public service and community engagement

BOSTON – Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the House of Representatives passed Governor Deval Patrick’s legislation to establish the Commonwealth Corps, a statewide volunteer and service organization aimed at encouraging residents of Massachusetts to lend their time and service to communities in need.

“This legislation stands to foster the values of volunteerism and encourage individuals to give back to their communities. This is not just a bill to promote civil service but to improve the quality of life and community in Massachusetts,” said Representative L’Italien.

“The House voted to promote public service and provide aid to the many deserving communities of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Corps will serve to strengthen our neighborhoods and renew a commitment to volunteerism in our state,” said Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.

“Civic engagement is fundamental to the well-being of our communities,” Governor Patrick said. “By seeing our stake in each other, we become a stronger Commonwealth. Thanks to the help of our partners in the House and Senate, the Commonwealth Corps will soon be a reality. I want to particularly thank Speaker DiMasi and Chairman DeLeo for their efforts in moving this bill forward. Through mentoring, staffing soup kitchens and shelters, cleaning up parks and beaches, we can help transform communities and inspire others to take action to promote the common good.”

The Commonwealth Corps will consist of a broad network of volunteers. Individuals 18 years or older, from all educational and career backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer part-time or full-time for the Corps. Members will devote no less than one year to serving a non-profit organization, civic program, or public agency, supplying services to individuals or areas in immediate need.

The legislation emphasizes the volunteerism of college students by creating a Commonwealth Student Corps pilot program at up to five public colleges or universities. Students will be encouraged to reinvest in their communities through service relevant to their field of study.

The program is envisioned as a private-public partnership with involvement from various entities such as public colleges and universities, private businesses, community groups, foundations, public agencies and individuals. Commonwealth Corps will be supported by a $3 million appropriation approved by the Legislature in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.

Legislature Sends Landmark Child Labor Reform Bill to Governor

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) today announced that the Massachusetts Legislature gave final approval to legislation increasing workplace protections for the Commonwealth’s 300,000 young workers. The bill, which is now on the Governor’s desk, marks the first major reform of the state’s child labor laws in nearly 70 years.

“Half of Massachusetts 16 and 17 year olds have jobs and workplace injury rates for minors are double those reported for adults,” said L’Italien. “Clearly the provisions and safeguards incorporated in this bill are needed to keep our kids safe and give their parents the peace of mind they deserve.”

The legislation simplifies the work permit process and expands the Attorney General’s enforcement authority by allowing him to bring civil charges against violating employers. In addition, it requires on site adult supervision of teens working after 8 p.m. and prohibits minors from holding jobs that require them to carry a firearm.

“Bringing our child labor laws into the 21st Century will be beneficial for both employees and employers,” said L’Italien. “Working teenagers learn valuable life lessons in the workplace; this legislation guarantees that those lessons will be learned in a safe and appropriate environment.”

Minimum Wage

Minimum Wage to be raised from $6.75 an hour to $8 per hour in two increments on January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw06/sl060271.htm

Sales Tax Holiday

2- Day Sales Tax Holiday established:

• Previously done in 2004 and 2005
• Exempts purchases of $2,500 or less from the state’s 5% sales tax
• Not applicable to auto, boat or tobacco product sales, meals, gas, steam, electricity and telecommunication services.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw06/sl060204.htm

House Votes to Raise Minimum Wage to $8 an Hour

The Massachusetts House of Representatives moved this week to make the state’s minimum wage one of the highest in the country, increasing it from $6.75 to $8 an hour, State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) announced. This initiative represents just one in a series of actions the House has taken to help the Commonwealth’s working families.

“I am extremely proud of the House’s record in support of working families across the state,” said L’Italien. “From making health insurance affordable to funding workforce training programs, we have not wavered in our commitment to giving people the tools they need to enhance their lives. An increase in the minimum wage will assist close to half a million workers who have been struggling to make ends meet for too long.”

A minimum wage hike was last approved in 2001. The House bill proposes increasing the rate to $7.25 an hour in October 2006, to $7.75 in October 2007, and to $8.00 in October 2008. At that level, it would be one of the three most generous rates in the country, with only Washington state and Oregon being slightly higher.

“Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to create a minimum wage 94 years ago,” said L’Italien. “The House’s legislation is in keeping with a proud tradition of ensuring that our workers are duly compensated for a hard day’s work.”

Legislature Approves I-93 Interchange Funds

Published: 06/16/2006

By Edward Mason
Staff writer for Eagle Tribune

Legislature approves I-93 interchange funds

BOSTON – A proposed Interstate 93 interchange in Andover got a boost yesterday, as Beacon Hill lawmakers approved state funding for planning and construction of the first phase of the project.

The interchange is seen as an important link to stimulating job creation in the Merrimack Valley by increasing accessibility to employers and underdeveloped land in Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington.

The funding is part of a $700 million spending plan in two bills passed by the House and Senate yesterday designed to stimulate the state economy and pay for capital projects. The bills, which now go to the governor, include spending for a host of North of Boston projects besides the interchange.

Under the bill, Massachusetts will issue a $200 million bond to pay for a variety of capital projects, which will include the state’s share of the early planning and construction in the first phase of the $53 million interchange.

Rep. David M. Torrisi, D-North Andover, said the state portion of that first phase will be between $15 million and $20 million and cover engineering studies and the start of construction.

Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester, said the interchange is more than a highway project. “This is one of the top five economic development projects in the state,” Tarr said.

The Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council estimates that the interchange will improve access to Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington and allow new and current employers to create between 4,500 to 11,500 new jobs, as well as $4.2 million to $6.6 million in additional property tax revenue.

The interchange is linked to projects that include the expansion of Wyeth Biopharma and a 750,000-square-foot mall proposed for Tewksbury by Mills Corp., a Virginia developer.

The economic stimulus calls for the state to invest in life sciences, work force training, higher education and public construction projects beside the I-93 interchange. Among the job creation expenditures is $70 million for a nano bio-manufacturing center at UMass Lowell.

The plan comes as the state reported yesterday that it lost 900 jobs in May, causing the unemployment rate to creep over 5 percent.

Both the economic stimulus and capital spending bills had been bottled up in conference committees since late last year as lawmakers concentrated on completing a health care reform law and other issues.

“Everyone recognizes in the Legislature that we need to do everything we can to jumpstart our economy, and (these bills) make that happen,” Rep. Barbara A. L’Italien, D-Andover, said.

The economic stimulus plan included lots of additional spending for North of Boston communities. Those included:

* The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit cap was raised to $50 million annually. That means there’s additional state incentives for developers to rehabilitate Merrimack Valley mills and convert them to tax-generating facilities.

* The Legislature approved additional funds and tax credits for redeveloping brownfields, contaminated commercial sites that can be converted into functioning commercial properties.

* Lawrence received $1 million for the Lawrence Riverwalk project and $1 million for the Our House Family Learning Center to renovate the St. Laurence O’Toole school building.

* Peabody would get $2 million for flood prevention in the city’s downtown. It also received a one-time $500,000 appropriation for a flood control matching grant. There also was $250,000 for planning the new Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District facility.

* Haverhill spending included $1 million for renovating the city’s stadium.

* Gloucester earmarks included $150,000 to devise an economic development plan and $200,000 for the Maritime Heritage Center.

* North Andover’s Stevens Library got $150,000 for improvements.

* $50,000 was approved for the renovation of the Amesbury Carriage Museum and $50,000 for the Salisbury Historical Society to renovate the town museum.

Interstate 93 Project

Interstate 93 interchange project would be a boost to the Merrimack Valley -

• Potential doubling of jobs at Wyeth Biopharma facility in Andover
• Enables future expansion of Proctor &Gamble
• Opens up land owned by other businesses to be developed as well.

More Info. http://www.merrimackvalley.info/