ALL EYES ON BEACON HILL AS GOVERNOR BAKER MAKES FIRST STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
BOSTON (January
21, 2016): AS Governor Baker prepares for his first State of the Commonwealth
speech this evening, the state’s leading small business organization, the
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released a wish list of
what they hope to hear him address with lawmakers at the State House.
“Tonight’s
remarks will hopefully lay the foundation for sound policy initiatives that
will ultimately strengthen our economy and empower the small business sector in
Massachusetts,” said NFIB/Massachusetts state director Bill Vernon. “While we
certainly understand the Governor is faced with a difficult fiscal situation
requiring him to prioritize his goals, we are optimistic that the state’s
largest economic engine, small business, will be kept in mind when he lays out
his proposals this evening.”
Reports
surfaced earlier today that Baker will highlight many important topics during
his remarks including those that are vital to bolstering the economy and
allowing businesses to create jobs.
“Addressing the
energy cost crisis Massachusetts businesses and residents are facing is
imperative to enable small businesses to expand and grow. The time has come to
expand our state’s access to hydropower and natural gas as well as renewables
to allow our businesses to compete on a level playing field with those located
in other nearby states,” continued Vernon.
“I expect the
Governor to resist the easy path of higher taxes and fees to fund a never
ending list of public priorities this evening. His leadership on taxation is
important to securing economic growth long term for the Commonwealth’s job
creators – small business. And economic vitality is the only way to guarantee
stable funding for generous social programs.
“Finally,
employment issues are an ongoing concern for our members. Governor Baker’s
workforce readiness proposals will ensure that workers are prepared for the
economy of the future. To further prepare for the new economy, Massachusetts
policies should encourage and support entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Reforming our archaic independent contractor laws is an important first step.
We certainly hope the Governor will speak to the changing ways we work and how
to keep Massachusetts in the forefront of those changes,” Vernon concluded.
