The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday January 23 for the 2008 Leaders Event. Meet your elected representatives and senior officials from state and local government. We may also have some special guests. The Hotel Marlowe will be our host and the time is 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Registration and additional information will be posted on the Chamber website soon.

 

 

State Senator Anthony Petruccelli was our guest at the November Government Affairs Committee meeting and luncheon. Senator Petruccelli is serving his first term in the Senate having been elected in this summer to fill the unexpired term of former Senate President Robert Travaglini. Senator Petruccelli previously served in the State House of Representatives and is a graduate of Boston College High School and the University of Rochester.

 

Senator Petruccelli discussed the State budget, the current status of the Governor’s Life Science Bill, casino gambling and energy legislation. He spoke about his interest in learning more about the Cambridge business community and noted that he recently met with senior staff from the Cambridge Fire Department who stressed to him the importance of strong fire services in attracting and keeping businesses in Cambridge. He said that the Governor’s Life Science Bill, the casino gambling issue, and the energy bill, along with budget issues, will be the focus of the next several months of work in the legislature.

 

GAC members gave the Senator input on the need to continue to build on the State’s success in building an innovation economy. The decline in funding for basic research at the federal level was mentioned and the opportunity the State may have in filling some funding gaps in that area. One participant suggested that the State not look at only biotechnology, which is only one aspect of the life sciences but look at the broad array of life science opportunities.

 

The Senator also heard about the need for the State to not lose sight of the importance of traditional government services, such as transportation infrastructure, that are important to economic growth. It was suggested that other cities nationally and internationally are trying to build the industries we already have. The advantage Massachusetts has is that those industries are here; to keep them here basic services must be maintained and improved.

 

Senator Petruccelli said he appreciated the discussion and looks forward to working further with the Chamber and the Cambridge business community. He also said he looks forward to the Leaders 2008 event in January.