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Goverment Central Legislative Affairs Update by Terrence F. Smith
State Treasurer Steven Grossman Addresses Chamber
Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman addressed the April 27, 2012 Government Affairs Executive Speaker luncheon at the Marriott Cambridge Center. Grossman discussed lessons from his business experience and from meeting with business people he brings to the office and his work to make the office more open and accessible to Massachusetts residents.
Treasurer Grossman discussed the three things matter most for the Massachusetts economy—ideas, money and talent. Massachusetts has all three, but that business people have expressed concerns about money and talent. To address the need for money he established the Small Business Banking Partnership. Participating Massachusetts community banks qualify for up to $10 million in state deposits if they agree to increase lending to small women and minority-owned businesses and quarterly post information. He said that building and keeping talent must be the priority for State government.
Gross man also discussed the importance of providing a high level of service to Massachusetts residents. Since taking office he has put the State’s checkbook on-line and has reviewed past practices to identify if and when the Commonwealth has been overcharged for services. Grossman said that the State must have a long-term solution to funding the State’s transportation and infrastructure needs. Collecting sales taxes on on-line sales would provide a significant amount of money for transportation and school buildings and would level the playing field between on-line retailers and local businesses.
The Treasurer was introduced by Kathleen Granchelli Chamber Board member. Kathleen is Communication Director at Draper Laboratories and the Chamber appreciates her participation in the program and Draper’s sponsorship of the Government Affairs Committee. The Chamber also thanks GAC sponsor Forest City and our host the Marriott Hotel Cambridge. Thanks to Treasurer Grossman and his staff for making this event possible and to all who attended.
Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman addressed the April 27, 2012 Government Affairs Executive Speaker luncheon at the Marriott Cambridge Center. Grossman discussed lessons from his business experience and from meeting with business people he brings to the office and his work to make the office more open and accessible to Massachusetts residents.
Treasurer Grossman discussed the three things matter most for the Massachusetts economy—ideas, money and talent. Massachusetts has all three, but that business people have expressed concerns about money and talent. To address the need for money he established the Small Business Banking Partnership. Participating Massachusetts community banks qualify for up to $10 million in state deposits if they agree to increase lending to small women and minority-owned businesses and quarterly post information. He said that building and keeping talent must be the priority for State government.
Gross man also discussed the importance of providing a high level of service to Massachusetts residents. Since taking office he has put the State’s checkbook on-line and has reviewed past practices to identify if and when the Commonwealth has been overcharged for services. Grossman said that the State must have a long-term solution to funding the State’s transportation and infrastructure needs. Collecting sales taxes on on-line sales would provide a significant amount of money for transportation and school buildings and would level the playing field between on-line retailers and local businesses.
The Treasurer was introduced by Kathleen Granchelli Chamber Board member. Kathleen is Communication Director at Draper Laboratories and the Chamber appreciates her participation in the program and Draper’s sponsorship of the Government Affairs Committee. The Chamber also thanks GAC sponsor Forest City and our host the Marriott Hotel Cambridge. Thanks to Treasurer Grossman and his staff for making this event possible and to all who attended.
Council Approves Budget
In May the City Council approved the $488 million budget submitted by the City Manager in April. The budget represents a 2.87% increase over the previous year budget and cost increases are due to wage increases, health insurance costs and pension benefits. Taxes will finance $352 million of the budget. The tax rate will be set later this year but it is expected that Commercial, Industrial and personal property taxes will fund 65% of the levy as has been the case in recent years.
Council Term Focused on Zoning and Development
The Council has discussed several zoning petitions during this term. A proposal by Forest City would allow for additional development and extension of the University Park Development along Massachusetts Avenue. A proposal by the City would provide room for the redevelopment of elementary schools. Only one school building can expand under current zoning. Other petitions would, if approved, allow for a better arrangement of buildings at North Point and change the zoning along Massachusetts Avenue in North Cambridge.
These petitions will be considered for ordination at the July 30 Special Summer meeting of the City Council. At that meeting a petition will be filed to significantly downzone a large area of the City surrounding Central Square.
Council Begins City Manager Transition Process
The Council’s Government Operations and Rules Committee met on June 22, 2012 to hold an initial discussion to develop a short and long range transition plan for the retirement of City Manager Robert Healy. Healy announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of his current contract on June 30, 2013.
The Committee heard an overview on the history of city manager appointments and Councillors expressed their interests in framing a process. Councillors discussed methods of engaging the community in this process and using outside organizations to provide assistance in the search. The City Manager reminded the Council that hiring a search firm or other consultant would require going through the public procurement process.
In a discussion about the transition the City Manager reported that a transition team is in place made up of senior City staff led by Deputy City Manager Richard Rossi. Team members include Assistant City Manager for Finance Louis Depasquale, Assistant City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semenoff, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Brian Murphy, Public Works Commissioner Lisa Peterson, Police Commissioner Robert Haas and Fire Chief Gerald Reardon.
The Committee will gather information from members of the Council and report back on the next steps in the process in September. At the meeting the CCC offered its assistance in the process of selecting the next city manager.
Thank you to Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. and Forest City Enterprises, Inc. for sponsoring the 2012 Government Affairs Committee programming. For more information, contact Director of Government Affairs Terrence Smith at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or (617) 876-4213.