Patrick's economic development bill to be aired Thursday
Lawmakers will hear on Thursday the $100 million economic development bill that Gov. Deval Patrick filed in April.
The bill eliminates “non-compete” agreements, adopts the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and seeks to expand the state’s international marketing efforts to boost tourism. The bill also overhauls a research and development tax credit program, extends the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s internship and mentoring program and provides municipalities with the power to grant liquor licenses.
“The bill I am filing will provide new tools and training so our workforce is prepared to meet the needs of employers, invests in our Gateway Cities to promote development across the entire state, and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy,” Patrick wrote in a letter to legislators that accompanied the bill.
After Patrick’s bill was filed, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who has talked about filing his own economic development package, said the governor had caused a “little bit of a stir” with his proposal to eliminate non-compete clauses. The hearing comes as Patrick, joined by Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki and private industry officials, travels on a trade mission to Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, and Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, meets Thursday at 1 p.m.
The committee has requested an extension on reporting out the bill until June 13.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments