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November 3, 2005 - Today, the Senate debated the “Commonwealth Investment Act” a plan to spur economic development and growth. Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) won approval of several key amendments to the proposal.
“The Senate’s plan will not only benefit communities in my district, but also to every city and town in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Moore. “I am especially pleased to see the bill focus on promoting life sciences and education which will enrich the quality of learning for students across Massachusetts." Senator Moore is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and also a member of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.
The Senate’s Economic Stimulus bill now contains amendments sponsored by Senator Moore including:
- The Establishment and Powers of Special Development Districts - Financing Infrastructure Costs for Residential and Commercial Real Estate Development. The amendment will enable property owners in newly constructed “special district” to finance needed public infrastructure improvements without burdening the budgets of the Commonwealth or its cities and towns.
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- Notification of the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council for Certain Projects - Requires businesses that are receiving tax incentives to notify municipalities and the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council within 90 days of any substantial changes to the tax increment financing or economic opportunity area agreement such as relocating, outsourcing or sale of a business.
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- Massachusetts Academy for Life Sciences and Mobile Biology Labs - Creating an Academy of Life Sciences at UMass Medical. The Academy will fund the creation of so-called "Mobile Life Science labs" which travel to area schools to teach advanced biology classes. The mobile labs stimulate interest in the study of biology by offering the latest life science equipment and technology and are far less expensive than building state of the art biology labs in every classroom. A solid foundation in biology will give our students access to the best biotechnology jobs over the next generation and help students pass the MCAS science requirement as it is phased in over the next few years.
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Among Senator Moore’s priorities that were included in the Senate Ways and Means $473 million spending package released on Wednesday were:
- River Bend Farm Visitors Center / Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park - $350,000 for preparation of architectural and engineering plans for construction of an addition, including a 50-seat auditorium for tour group orientation and educational programs for the River Bend Farm Visitors Center of the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in the town of Uxbridge.
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- French River Greenway - $250,000 for preparation of plans for the French River Greenway in the towns of Oxford, Webster, and Dudley to connect the Quinebaug Trail and the Mid-State Trail.
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A conference committee will now resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Economic Stimulus Bill. The committee will then send a final version of the bill to the Governor for his consideration.
For more information on Senator Moore’s ideas for job creation and emerging health care technology, please visit his website at
www.senatormoore.com
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