ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS

Massachusetts Democrats believe we need to expand economic opportunities to promote economic growth, and to improve and expand our competitiveness in the global marketplace. We affirm the role of government in guiding the economy.

In order to grow the economy in Massachusetts, we need a healthy business environment that includes adequate funding for workforce training, user-friendly regulations, technology infrastructure, and special support for small businesses and agriculture.

We support 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 improved and expanded public transportation in urban, suburban, exurban and rural regions as a way to expand economic growth and increase job opportunities.

We support the development and use of intercity rail and commuter rail systems as an efficient and environmentally prudent way to move cargo and people.

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.

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 the expansion of technology infrastructure to rural areas of the state.

To achieve our goals for Massachusetts in the global economy, we support efforts to enhance the comparative advantage of Massachusetts firms.

We support the expansion of research and 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 oppose special tax breaks for companies that outsource 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.