Legislative Actions & Tech Talkin' Govs 2006, Part V

The fifth installment to Walkin' the Tech Talkin' Gov Walk (see the April 17, May 8, June 5 and June 12 issues of the Digest) covers the outcome of the 2006 Massachusetts legislative sessions. Following is a synopsis of bills passed and budget appropriations relevant to tech-based economic development and the priorities outlined in respective gubernatorial addresses at the beginning of 2006.



Massachusetts

The legislature last week enacted Gov. Mitt Romney's economic stimulus bill. During his State-of-the-Commonwealth Address, Gov. Romney asked for legislative support for the bill he proposed a year ago (see the Jan. 23 issue of the Digest). The bill includes $80 million to spur activity in the life sciences and technology sectors, creates a $13 million cultural facilities fund, and invests $23 million in workforce development and training. It also establishes a new office to bring wireless or broadband Internet access to the entire state and provides scholarships for students who pursue math and science careers.



A main focus of the economic stimulus legislation is to support and grow the life sciences industry in the state. The bill creates a new state entity designed to foster R&D and help raise private funding for projects, the Boston Globe reports. Additionally, the bill includes funds for a new nano-biomanufacturing center at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.



According to the Boston Globe, the economic stimulus legislation is paired with the FY 2007 supplemental budget bill and, combined, the bills draw $120 million from the state's rainy day fund and use another $440 million in leftover surplus funds from the last fiscal year. The supplemental budget bill includes $2.5 million to support research and innovations at the University of Massachusetts biomedical institute for discovery at the Worcester campus.