Malden legislators help push sweeping economic development bill across the finish line

Recently, State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to enact a major economic development bill: An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership. This bill will position the Commonwealth for continued economic growth and leadership in life sciences and biotech, offshore wind energy development and other climate tech, artificial intelligence and other sectors of the economy. The bill also includes numerous provisions to strengthen healthcare, education, small businesses, and communities across the state.

Earlier this year, the Senate and House had passed their versions of the bill, and a conference committee was appointed to resolve those differences. On November 14, 2024, the Senate and House enacted the bill. On November 20, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill (in part) into law and returned some sections to the legislature “with recommendations for amendment.” On November 25, the House referred the amendment matter to a committee.

“This major economic development bill provides significant new investments in our state’s economy and will advance Massachusetts’ global leadership and competitiveness,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m also very pleased that two pieces of legislation that I’ve been championing for several years were included in this package: the Educator Diversity Act to strengthen our K-12 teacher workforce, and a bill that strengthens our healthcare workforce by providing a pathway for foreign-trained physicians to become fully licensed and practice in Massachusetts.”

“I am proud that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has put together an economic bill that will invest in our future, business innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development,” said Representative Donato. “By enhancing infrastructure and promoting job growth, this bill will ensure that Massachusetts remains at the forefront of economic advancement. I look forward to the positive impacts this legislation will bring to Malden, its residents, and businesses.”

“This economic development bill represents a transformative opportunity to create jobs, enhance economic growth, and strengthen key industries that drive the future prosperity of our Commonwealth,” said Representative Ultrino. “I am incredibly proud to support the provisions in this economic development bill, which will have a lasting, positive impact on our state. From policies on clean energy development, strengthening public health, educator diversity, and many more, this bill addresses the diverse needs of our economy and empowers our residents.”

“This legislation authorizes critical investments in major sectors of the Commonwealth’s economy and advances important policies including consumer protections for ticket sales, my bill on campaign funds for childcare, and educator diversity,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “The economic development package will help ensure Massachusetts retains our competitive advantage in leading industries, such as life sciences, while maintaining affordability for our residents.”

Some key provisions of An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership:

• Advancing Massachusetts’ global leadership in the life sciences and biotech industry with a $500 million bond authorization for the Life Sciences Breakthrough Fund
• Launching a new effort to make Massachusetts a leader in climate tech with a $400 million bond authorization to support the development of offshore wind energy and to foster innovation and deployment of new climate technologies
• Funding the MassWorks Infrastructure Program with an additional $400 million bond authorization to support local public infrastructure projects and create jobs
• Investing $100 million to advance the development of artificial intelligence solutions in Massachusetts
• Supporting small businesses by establishing a five-year pilot program to assist businesses in acquiring surety bonds
• Entering Massachusetts into the national nurse licensure compact to help alleviate the nursing workforce challenges facing the healthcare sector
• Strengthening the physician workforce by creating a pathway for physicians previously authorized to practice medicine outside the United States to be able to become licensed and practice in the Commonwealth (legislation that was sponsored by Senator Lewis)
• Strengthening the K-12 educator workforce with the inclusion of the Educator Diversity Act (legislation that was sponsored by Senator Lewis).
• Permitting locally produced craft beer to be sold at farmers markets, which is already allowed for wine and cider
• Ensuring ticketing transparency by requiring sellers to list the actual prices of tickets and banning automated ticket purchasing software, known as bots, which drive up prices
• Allowing for the environmental cleanup and construction of a new soccer stadium and waterfront park in Everett, and stipulating that no public funding may be used for stadium construction
• Overhauling the state’s fragmented public health system to ensure strong public health protections for all residents regardless of race, income or zip code
• Requiring all school districts to notify students prior to graduating from high school of the availability of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to provide students with information on financial aid options for higher education
• Authorizing public agencies and municipalities to enter into project labor agreements for public works contracts when such an agreement is in the best interest of the public agency or municipality
• Modernizing Massachusetts civil service laws to give municipalities more options in filling job vacancies while giving qualified job seekers more opportunities to find a match