Massachusetts House Democrats unveiled an economic development package yesterday they say will spur momentum in the state’s strengthening recovery without breaking the bank.
Put forward by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, the multipart proposal largely extends or provides funding for a number of existing programs that foster workforce training and assist research at state universities. The bill would set up a program that matches stipends for interns at technology startups.
“This is an excellent bill that does a lot with a little — the speaker was very cognizant of that,” said Dan O’Connell, CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, a nonprofit public policy group made up of leaders of some of the state’s largest businesses.
Despite DeLeo’s emphasis that jobs were the top priority of the legislation, the House chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Rep. Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee), said he could not project how many new positions the bill would produce.
“I think we’re going to see levels of unemployment lower than in many other states,” Wagner said.
Labor leaders joined with business officials in praising the bill.
“We are pleased to see funding for middle-skill jobs training in the House Jobs Bill and commend House leaders for their continued focus on job training and job creation,” said an AFL-CIO spokesman.
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce chief Paul Guzzi said the bill “plays to our region’s strengths — our skilled work force, our leading educational institutions and our strong and diverse industry base.”