Civic Mass

It’s Time: Making Long-Term Investments in Massachusetts

There’s a raging debate in Massachusetts regarding whether it’s time to make long-term investments in infrastructure and education. I would argue it is. At a time when our borrowing costs are at an all-time low and global competition for talent at an all-time high, we need bold leadership.  I’ve decided to support the Governor’s $2 billion proposal and hope other business leaders will as well.  Here’s an open letter I am sending to members of the state legislature towards this end:

Dear Legislative Leader:

As our elected leaders, you go to work every day committed to building an economy that supports long-term economic growth and prosperity for all of Massachusetts.

With that goal in mind, we are writing to you as business leaders who support increased investments in education, infrastructure and innovation.  As members of the business community, we understand that, as a region, we are competing for talent, capital and other resources in order to be the best place in the world to build a business.  Massachusetts desperately needs a well educated workforce, well maintained roads, good transit systems and safe neighborhoods in which companies will want to do business and people will want to live.  These needs exist throughout the entire state, which needs to be knit together more tightly to fulfill its vision as a tightly knit, economic powerhouse. 

We strongly believe that making these wise investments today will help prepare our Commonwealth to compete in an increasingly global economy tomorrow.

The Campaign for Our Communities, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and Governor Deval Patrick have put forward bold proposals to raise an additional $2 billion in revenue for Massachusetts.  The new funds these plans would generate would support high-quality early education, provide exceptional K-12 schools, and increase access to college for all Massachusetts families. They would also permit us to make crucial investments in our infrastructure and transportation systems.  

We recognize that any comprehensive vision such as this one requires debate and consideration to weigh its implications.  We hope that the final legislation seeks to raise the additional revenue in a manner that is most fair to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

We hope you will join us in embracing the opportunity that is now at hand to make the necessary investments today to build our economy and strengthen our Commonwealth for the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Jeff Bussgang

Immigration Reform’s Time Has Come

Two recent articles in the NY Times and Wall St Journal suggest that comprehensive immigration reform alongside high-skilled immigration reform will finally come together in a bipartisan bill.  Keep your eye out for a “virtual march” that supporters will be organizing in the coming months to galvanize support.

Jobs Creation Commission Report

Some good data here on the Massachusetts economy, particularly figures 1-3. Neat to see that we over-index on software employment by 250%!

Broadway Revue Musical Performance (By My Wife!)

On Saturday, December 1st at 7:00pm, my wife and two other singers are performing a Broadway Revue at the Rashi School in Dedham, MA.  For those who don’t know, Lynda was a professional performer from the age of eight and continued her musical career after college in NYC until retiring at the ripe age of 23 to marry me and build a family.

She has performed occasionally since, including this New Hampshire performance of Les Miserables, but this will be her first major performance in a long, long time.  Please come if you can - it will be a night to remember!