Create Jobs and Expand Economic Opportunity
We can't be satisfied until every single resident who seeks work can find it. That means we must invest in education, in the innovation industries that are expanding opportunity around the Commonwealth, in the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy, and in the infrastructure that supports it all.
- Governor Deval Patrick's Inaugural Address
Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray are executing a strategy for bringing more good jobs and new economic growth to all parts of the state. Their strategy is focused on four pillars - click on each one to learn more about what your state government is doing to create more jobs.
- Invest in Public Education
- Support Our Innovation Industries
- Strengthen Infrastructure
- Reduce Business Costs
Invest in Public Education
Thanks to our teachers and continuing commitment to our public schools, Massachusetts students are consistently among the best in the nation. A well-trained workforce and a strong system of public education are our Commonwealth's calling cards - critical to expanding economic opportunity.
We can't be satisfied until a great school is within reach of every young person in the Commonwealth. Governor Patrick's administration is fully committed to realizing this goal - here are some of the specific steps Governor Patrick has taken or will take to make this a reality.
- Support public education at the highest levels in the history of the Commonwealth. Through Chapter 70 funding to schools and federal Race to the Top funds, Governor Patrick has committed record funding to public schools, despite the challenges of a global economic recession.
- Our students are responding. Massachusetts students consistently rank in the top five internationally in math and science.
- Continue working to close the achievement gap in public schools by implementing the Governor's achievement gap and education reform legislation.
- Encourage innovation in the classroom and bring out the best in our teachers through initiatives such as Innovations Schools, charter schools, and new competitive grants designed to strengthen public higher education.
- Continue to responsibly distribute the Federal Race to the Top funding that Massachusetts won in 2010. Read more about the Race to the Top competition and Massachusetts' award here.
Support Our Innovation Industries
Massachusetts is uniquely suited to host the industries that provide the jobs of tomorrow and lead economic growth internationally, including clean technology, biotechnology, life sciences, information technology, and precision manufacturing.
Massachusetts companies compete nationally and internationally for sales, jobs, investors, and talent and Governor Patrick is committed to helping to promote the attractions of doing business and creating jobs right here in the Commonwealth.
- So far the state has invested about $200 million of public resources, which has generated almost a billion dollars in new private investment and thousands of jobs.
- Support innoative job-creators in Massachusetts and promote the Commonwewalth as a global destination for new investment. Since 2007, employment in clean energy is up 60%.
- The solar energy sector has increased 20-fold since 2007 and the number of solar companies have quadrupled. And Massachusetts will soon be the home of the nation's first offshore wind farm.
- To better compete in the global economy, Governor Patrick is leading efforts to promote Massachusetts on the world stage. In March, 2011, the Governor led a group of Massachusetts business leaders on an Innovation Economy Partnership mission to Israel and the United Kingdom. Click here to learn more.
Strengthen Our Infrastructure
Governor Patrick recommitted the state to renewing its aging and neglected infrastructure, ensuring that the state has a 21st century system of roads, bridges, and broadband networks. By investing in these growth platforms and streamlining the state's transportation bureaucracy, Governor Patrick has helped created immediate employment opportunities and set Massachusetts on a long-term growth trajectory.
- The Patrick-Murray Administration's investment in Massachusetts roads and bridges over the past four years represents one of the largest public works initiatives in state history.
- In Fiscal Year 2010, Massachusetts invested almost twice as much in road and bridge projects than in Fiscal Year 2007.
- The state's commitment to capital spending for municipalities will expand from $7.9 billion in the first term to a projected $11.5 billion in the second term.
- The administration will continue supporting large-scale transportation projects such as South Coast Rail and enhancing existing platforms, such as the Commuter Rail and state highways.
Reduce Costs and Streamline Regulations for Small Businesses
Massachusetts is home to some of the world's most competitive businesses and dynamic corporations. Massachusetts will continue to review and simplify the interactions between business and government, particularly through efforts to support small businesses doing business with the state.
- Health care insurance costs are rising too fast for small businesses and working families. Learn more about Governor Patrick's plan to bring down health care costs.
- Massachusetts' corporate tax rate fell from 9.5% in 2009 to 8.25% in 2011. The Department of Revenue estimates this will save 35,000 businesses statewide roughly $150 million this fiscal year.
- Encourage banks to start lending again to small businesses through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.