November 1, 2012
Massachusetts, Opinions

Therese Murray: The roadmap to growth, repair and opportunity

Therese Murray| The Patriot Ledger | Nov. 01, 2012 | www.patriotledger.com

As part of our election coverage, The Patriot Ledger offers every candidate for state and federal office the opportunity to directly address voters about a significant issue.

The commonwealth is moving forward because of commitments made to residents and businesses on a roadmap designed for continued growth, repair and opportunity.

Our restructured economic development model helps existing businesses expand and new businesses set up shop. Part of it is the new Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. (MGCC), which provides capital to small business in a tight credit market.

The MGCC has already committed $34 million to 98 companies, leveraged $159 million in private equity, and maintained or created 5,200 jobs. Those numbers will rise as MGCC looks to the future.

I support bipartisan efforts to reduce the high costs of health care and electricity. Ongoing reforms are allowing businesses to form purchasing groups to save money. And the overhaul of our health care service and payment system will save us $200 billion over the next 15 years.

I will also advance our work on energy reform. Massachusetts has established itself as a leader in renewable energy, and we must get a handle on prices and siting issues for energy projects. Measures are under way to bring down electricity prices by identifying cost drivers, requiring regular rate reviews and increasing competition among utilities.

And while I continue to support alternative energy resources such as wind, we must avoid problems towns have gotten into by building industrial-size turbines in residential areas. They do not belong there, and that’s why I will initiate the development of essential guidelines to protect residents and keep massive turbines away from our neighborhoods.

The Senate will also lead again on welfare reform. It passed laws the last two years to prevent and punish the misuse of cash assistance EBT cards. I will now look to new information on how to effectively move to a strictly cashless system that would eliminate other abuses.

And in light of the recent meningitis outbreak due to faulty pharmaceutical practices, I am investigating what laws need to be changed to ensure the public’s future health and safety, and expect to file bipartisan legislation next year.

As I work to improve public safety and add jobs, nearly 80,000 since January 2011, we must also remain No. 1 in education and veteran services and continue promoting a business environment ranked No. 1 among states by the conservative Beacon Hill Institute. That’s my commitment to you and all of Massachusetts.

Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, is a candidate for re-election in the Plymouth and Barnstable District.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/01/therese-murray-the-roadmap-to-growth-repair-and-opportunity/