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08-02-2006

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 5 months ago

August 2, 2006

ROMNEY SIGNS PERMITTING REFORM INTO LAW

Approves another bill legalizing August 12-13 sales tax holiday

 

Governor Mitt Romney today signed legislation that reforms and streamlines the commercial permitting process, making it easier for companies to expand and add jobs in Massachusetts. Romney also signed a bill legalizing a sales tax holiday for August 12 and 13.

 

Romney said both bills are good for the Massachusetts economy, but that the one with the longest term positive impact is permitting reform.

 

“For too long, the burdensome permitting process has been a barrier to job growth,” said Romney. “By cutting the red tape, we will spur job growth and give employers and communities greater control over where they want to locate businesses.”

 

The previous permitting law required that cities and towns designate all of their commercial properties as eligible for expedited permitting, which none did. Under the new permitting law, communities will be able to select certain sites for expedited permitting. Under the new law, communities agree to complete their local permitting process in 180 days.

 

The new law is the capstone to the Governor’s efforts to make the business climate more attractive in Massachusetts. Other measures proposed by Romney and adopted by the Legislature include a $100 million fund to help municipalities pay for infrastructure costs directly related to job growth and an additional $1.5 million to hire a sales force to market Massachusetts to companies looking to grow or expand.

 

“This new law preserves rigorous permitting standards while creating a much clearer and more consistent process for companies and municipalities,” said Mark Bamforth, Senior Vice President for Corporate Operations and Pharmaceuticals at Cambridge-based Genzyme, and Chair of the Massachusetts Biotech Council’s Economic Development Subcommittee. “We want to thank Governor Romney for recognizing that permitting reform will help companies build the facilities they need to succeed in Massachusetts.”

 

Technical assistance grants totaling $3 million are available to help communities update local bylaws and procedures to comply with the reformed permitting process. More than $2 million will also be used by regional planning agencies and MassDevelopment to hire permitting specialists to assist municipalities.

 

“Making it easier for companies to expand and build facilities in Massachusetts means we have the potential to add thousands of new jobs here,” said Paul Guzzi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “Permitting reform has been a top priority of the chamber and we look forward to helping more businesses grow in the Commonwealth.”

 

“First and foremost, streamlined permitting makes it easier for Massachusetts companies to add jobs in Massachusetts,” said Senator Jack Hart of South Boston. “We’re also providing assistance to help communities that want to be part of this new, streamlined process.”

 

“By fixing our antiquated permitting system, we’re giving companies the opportunity to grow and add jobs in Massachusetts,” said Representative Michael Rodrigues, Chairman of the Joint Committee of Labor & Workforce Development. “We’re also giving cities and towns across the state the ability to designate priority sites for economic growth that will increase their tax base.”

 

In signing the sales tax holiday, Governor Romney for the third year in a row exempted consumers from paying five percent sales tax on purchases up to $2,500. The 2006 sales tax holiday will take place on the weekend of August 12 and 13. Last year, consumers saved more than $15 million during the tax-free weekend. The Department of Revenue estimates consumers will save an equivalent amount this year.

 

“The Sales Tax Holiday offers a tremendous boost to retailers at a particularly slow time of the year and is a welcome ‘thank you’ to consumers, providing them an additional incentive to keep investing back into our local economy,” said Jon B. Hurst, President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. “We are grateful again this year for the Governor’s and the Legislature’s support.”

 

 

 

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