Rep. Eldridge announces release of Final Report of the Special Task Force on the Economy and Workforce Development

Representative James B. Eldridge of the 37th Middlesex District announced this week the release of the final report by the House Speaker’s Special Task Force on the Economy and Workforce Development, which Eldridge served on.  The task force was charged with looking at ways in which state laws and public policy help foster economic development and providing the state’s workers with adequate training, resources and education in order to contribute to the Massachusetts economy.  The task force held a public hearing on April ?, 2003 in the city of Fall River to hear public testimony from members of Governor Romney’s administration, economic experts, think tanks, professors, and the public at large.  The report emphasized, “…when businesses are not producing and people are not employed, revenues will continue to fall.  Economic recovery will be the single most important factor in pulling the Commonwealth out of this fiscal crisis and put an end to the current recession.” 

The report outlines a number of specific areas that are crucial towards reaching the goal of economic recovery.  The report recommends the following: 1) a cost/benefit analysis of the true value of corporate tax incentives passed by state government over the past ten years (Rep. Eldridge has already signed onto House bill ?, which would close various corporate tax loopholes and potentially raise $60-200 million in state revenues); 2) continued commitment to Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language and literacy programs; 3) enhance the state’s public higher education contribution to workforce development; 4) consider any measures to lower the cost of doing business in Massachusetts concerning health care, energy, taxes, and unemployment insurance.; and 5) invest in building more affordable housing in Massachusetts.

For a copy or more details on the report, please contact Rep. Eldridge’s office at (617) 722-2060, Rep.Eldridge@hou.state.ma.us.   The 37th Middlesex District is comprised of the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Harvard, Lancaster, Lunenburg, and Shirley.