Executive Order  No. 646: Establishing the Governor's Competitiveness Council

WHEREAS, Massachusetts has one of the most dynamic and resilient economies in the nation, consistently ranking among the top states in gross state product per capita;

WHEREAS, Massachusetts leads the nation in educational attainment and its economic success is anchored by its world-class institutions of higher education, innovative and successful businesses and entrepreneurs, and its workforce talent;

WHEREAS, despite these many strengths, Massachusetts today faces significant headwinds in the post-COVID economy, further exacerbated by federal policies targeting research, education, immigration, and free trade;

WHEREAS, excellent education, abundant housing, and reliable and accessible transportation are critical components of a competitive economic growth strategy;

WHEREAS, the insights and collaboration of business leaders, organized labor, elected officials, and members of the public are essential to identifying the challenges and seizing the opportunities now confronting the economy of Massachusetts;

WHEREAS, lowering costs and maintaining and expanding economic opportunity across all regions of Massachusetts is essential to ensuring that prosperity is shared and sustainable;

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to ensuring that Massachusetts be the best place to live, work, learn, raise a family, and grow a business and recognizes that close public-private collaboration is vital to achieving that goal;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:  

Section 1.  There is hereby established within the Office of the Governor a Competitiveness Council to advise the Governor on issues relating to  business incentives, business regulation, support of innovation, talent, taxation, and other related factors that affect the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness, and to offer recommendations on potential actions to strengthen the Commonwealth’s business climate and support growth in existing and emerging industries.  

Section 2.  The Council shall consist of: the Secretary of Economic Development, or their designee; the Secretary of Administration and Finance, or their designee; the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, or their designee; 2 members of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House; 2 members of the Senate designated by the Senate President; a person designated by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce; a person designated by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; a person designated by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce; a person designated by One SouthCoast Chamber; a person designated by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; a person designated by the Western Mass Economic Development Council; a person designated by 1Berkshire; a person designated by the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership; a person designated by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center; a person designated by the Mass Business Roundtable; a person designated by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; a person designated by Associated Industries of Massachusetts; two persons designated by AFL-CIO; a person designated by the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts; a person designated by We Are ALX; and such additional members as the Governor may appoint from geographic areas across the state who reflect a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, including representatives from regional chambers of commerce, business trade groups, organized labor, and policy think tanks.  Members so appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and without compensation.  The Governor shall designate two co-chairs who have demonstrated a passion for innovative competitiveness and leadership in the Massachusetts business community.  

Section 3.  The Council may establish subcommittees to examine specific topics, such as reducing regulatory burdens; the effectiveness of business incentives; talent attraction, retention and development; and support for innovation.  Subcommittees may be comprised of members of the Council and non-members committed to strengthening the state’s business climate and competitiveness.  

Section 4.  The Secretary of Economic Development shall designate staff to support the work of the Council.  Supporting staff may attend Council meetings as observers and participate at the discretion of the co-chairs.  

Section 5.  The Council and its subcommittees shall meet as often as the co-chairs direct, and shall provide the Governor with reports and recommendations as appropriate.

Section 6.  This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.