Executive Order  No. 419: Establishing the Governor's Economic Advisory Boards

WHEREAS, it is critical that Massachusetts maintain its role as a national leader in industry and economic growth in the new millennium; and

WHEREAS, to maintain its competitive edge, the Massachusetts economy must be able both to forecast economic trends and to adapt readily to the changing face of the global economy and the dynamic growth of high technology; and

WHEREAS, any plans for future economic development must include the marketing and promoting of Massachusetts not only as a worthy destination for travel and tourism, but also as a hospitable environment for new businesses and a place known for its sophisticated, growing and committed workforce; and

WHEREAS, the plans for future economic development must encompass all regions and regional economies of the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Argeo Paul Cellucci, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

I. Governor's Board of Economic Advisors

Section 1. The Governor's Council on Economic Growth and Technology, originally established by letter from Governor Weld, shall henceforth be known as the Governor's Board of Economic Advisors (the "Board"). The Board shall advise the Governor on matters affecting entities doing business in the Commonwealth, including (i) the identification of problem issues facing businesses, (ii) the ability to attract a diverse and qualified labor pool, (iii) the factors that drive up business costs in the Commonwealth, and (iv) appropriate ambassadorial efforts to attract new companies and industries to Massachusetts. The Board shall meet quarterly to discuss topics to be determined by the Board's co-chairs.

Section 2. The Board shall consist of the Governor and no less than 20 members, appointed by the Governor for one-year terms, who shall be leaders in business, labor, and industry in the Commonwealth. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Members may be reappointed for successive one-year terms. The Board shall be co-chaired by the Governor and one of the members, who shall be appointed by the Governor and may be reappointed as co-chair for successive one-year terms.

II. Governor's Economic Development Council

Section 1. There is hereby established the governor's Economic Development Council (the "Council"). The Council shall consider the issues raised by the Governor's Board of Economic Advisors and advise the Governor on potential initiatives to address those and other issues relating to economic development in the Commonwealth, including initiatives to (i) promote job training, (ii) market Massachusetts as a center for new businesses, (iii) attract and retain a skilled and educated workforce, (iv) improve infrastructure for emerging geographic areas in the Commonwealth, and (v) address the future economic development of the Commonwealth. The Council shall, where appropriate, advise the Governor on legislative proposals to address matters relating to business in the Commonwealth. The Council shall meet at least eight times each year to address issues to be determined by the Chair. At the discretion of the Chair, meetings of a subcommittee may substitute for a meeting of the full Council.

Section 2. The Council shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor, the President of the University of Massachusetts, the Director of Economic Development, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, and no less than 20 other members appointed for one-year terms by the Governor, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Members may be reappointed for successive one-year terms. The appointed members shall be leaders in business, labor, and industry in the Commonwealth and shall include persons from different regions of the Commonwealth who are knowledgeable about issues facing business, labor, and industry in the regions they represent. The Council shall be co-chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and one of the members, who shall be appointed by the Governor and may be reappointed as co-chair for successive one-year terms.

Given at the executive Chamber in Boston this 27th day of January in the year two thousand.

Argeo Paul Cellucci

Governor

William Francis Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth