We
support initiatives that • Massachusetts
Democrats believe we need to expand economic opportunities to promote healthy growth, stimulate
opportunity, heighten and to improve and expand our
competitiveness in the global marketplace, and aid in the continuing
transition to a knowledge-based economy. We know that our Commonwealth
depends on the energy and skill of our private sector to create jobs and
prosperity, and thataffirm the role of
government has an important role in expanding opportunity, assuring
necessary infrastructure, and helping dislocated workers manage through
transitionin guiding the economy. We
advocate vigorous efforts, including through establishment of a Jobs Creation
Commission, to promote increased employment at high wages and with good
benefits.
We
support initiatives that invest in the skills of the working men and women of
the Commonwealth. We are aware that one out of three workers in this state need
additional skills to maintain their employment in today’s changing economy. We
recognize the challenges faced by employers trying to recruit a skilled
workforce; and faced by workers applying for living wage jobs who lack
requisite skills. In the face of a global economy and advanced technology,
workers need ongoing skill development and job training. We support increased public and private
funding for business and labor to address the Massachusetts skills gap.
• In order to grow the economy in
Massachusetts, we need a healthy business environment that includes adequate
funding for workforce training, We support monitoring
the costs of doing business in the Commonwealth, so that companies can grow and
compete while still meeting their obligations to workers and the community. We
endorse reasonable, flexible, user-friendly regulations, technology
infrastructure, and special support for small businesses and agriculture. and
recognize the role incentives play in creating, attracting, and keeping jobs.
To remain competitive and help in areas of high unemployment, the state must be
prepared to offer incentives for companies to retain and add good paying jobs.
• We support tax incentives for business when accompanied by
commitments to good corporate citizenship and enforceable terms assuring
continued investment in Massachusetts. sanctions to prohibit companies that utilize
offshore tax havens, thereby avoiding payment of state and federal taxes, from
gaining lucrative contracts for business with the state and federal government.
• We support tax equity and responsible budgeting.
• We believe in providing a sustainable revenue source to finance state
government programs that support a healthy economy.
We
recognize small businesses as vital to economic growth and prosperity in the
Commonwealth, both through job creation and the opportunities of ownership. We
favor policies that support the growth and health of small businesses, and
which are responsive to their unique needs and concerns. We recognize that
regulations and other important elements of public policy must be sensitive to
the differences between large and small companies. We recognize the importance
of continued strong federal funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
We support public efforts to ensure full and fair participation by women and
people of color in the workforce and in business ownership.
We
believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of
the • To achieve our goals for Massachusetts
economy is a key competitive edge in the global market. economy, we support efforts to enhance the comparative
advantage of Massachusetts firms.
• We champion strong federalsupport the
expansion of research & development funding programs, and
assistance to smaller companies and startups seeking to commercialize promisingand technology based
industries in Massachusetts.
• We oppose Republican efforts to curtail
embryonic stem cell research and urge the Massachusetts Legislature to provide
funding to our excellent researchers to develop well-regulated technologies. We encourage open global trade that promotes
fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We
support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports.
We
recognize that tourism is among our largest exports and we acknowledge the
vital importance of tourism and business convention travel to communities and
regions across the Commonwealth. Cognizant of the stiff competition we face
from other states and countries, we advocate more aggressive efforts to promote
the Commonwealth as a tourism destination to both domestic and international
visitors. We support construction of a world-class convention center that will
accommodate the lucrative and important larger meetings which now bypass Boston
because of our inability to meet their needs. We must also safeguard the rich
and diverse physical and cultural heritage of the Commonwealth, which enhances
our state’s ability to attract tourism.• In
an effort to increase tourism in Massachusetts, we support funding for
cultural, historic, and recreational facilities that promote our creative
industries and honor our historic past.
• We support a
well-planned commitment of state resources to ensure that ourimproved and expanded public transportation infrastructure
remains accessible, affordable, safe and reliable for all residents, whether
living and working in urban, suburban or,
exurban, and rural regions as a way to expand
economic growth and increase job opportunities. We restate our pledge
to keep public transportation public. We call for state and federal funding and
transportation management policies that ensure full and timely completion of
the Central Artery project, while allowing for needed repairs, reconstruction
and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other public works elsewhere in the
Commonwealth.
• We promotesupport the
development and use of public transportation and commuter and intercity rail
systems as an convenient, efficient,
and environmentally sound means ofprudent way to
movinge cargo and people and cargo.
We oppose the Cellucci/Swift Logan Runway Expansion Proposal. We support creative
and courageous leadership that understands the importance of alternatives such
as the expanded use of regional airports, demand and gate management techniques
to reduce over scheduling, and the development of a community-oriented
multi-model transportation network.
We
recognize the importance of agriculture to our Commonwealth, as a source of top
quality fresh foods for our residents, an engine of economic prosperity, and a
preserver of land and open spaces. We encourage diversification, value-added
processing, organic farming, and applied research partnerships among our
universities, farmers, and farm businesses. We renew our pledge to fight for
our fishing industry, to support its efforts to market and export valuable and
alternative species, and to protect it from international overfishing. We
recognize the importance of aquaculture in our Commonwealth. We call for
aggressive and creative approaches to ensure maximum possible markets for the
fish and farm commodities of the Commonwealth.
We
seek to help welfare recipients successfully find and keep jobs. We advocate
increased job training and educational opportunities, and we must ensure that
support systems in child care, transportation, and health insurance are in
place to enable people to work and to advance into more highly paid jobs. We
are committed to ensuring a safety net to members of our families in times of
need. We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime. We
support measures that reduce, not increase, the number of children living in
poverty.
We support the
modernization of public systems and recognize that the private sector can offer
some solutions. We assert and recognize, however, that it is the public sector,
not the private sector, which has the distinct capacity to deliver efficient,
high quality services in many areas. We oppose misguided privatization schemes
that place quality and continuity of service at risk and impose hidden costs in
the form of reduced wages and benefits as well as an increased opportunity for
corruption in the form of waste and fraud. We recognize that serving the public
interest involves maximizing efficiency and productivity without sacrificing
the quality of services delivered to our citizens.
• We support the expansion of technology infrastructure to rural areas of the state.
• We oppose special tax breaks for companies that
out-source jobs outside of the United States.
• We oppose the Republican administration policy of giving tax breaks to the
wealthiest individuals, and of irresponsible deficit financing of a war that
depletes the federal budget. These policies unfairly increase the tax burden at
the state and local level.
Developed by Brad Johnson (Boston Ward 4). Presented as a service for the 2005 Massachusetts Democratic Convention by Democracy for America: Boston.