Governor Patrick Signs Jobs Bill
BOSTON (CBS) - Governor Patrick has signed the new Infrastructure Investment and Economic Growth Law. It's designed to help job creation in the state.
The legislation helps to expand technology internships, job training programs and research grants.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Anthony Silva reports
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Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki tells me the funding represents a modest increase. He says the legislature is working with the governor to identify ways to spark job creation without putting a lot of new money into major programming.
Bialecki says the legislation focuses on helping close the so-called "middle skills gap." He says many jobs that do not require a four year degree, but do require more skills than just a high school education. The money in this bill will help community colleges and vocational schools provide those skills.
Bialecki says that 7,000 manufacturers remain in the state, and there are many job openings for properly trained machinists. He says lawmakers are building on things that have worked in the past few years. The law adds money to the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, which has made a lot of smarter investments in what Bialecki calls the best workforce training programs around the state.
The Law also directs $4 million to smart growth housing funding.
It also sets August 11th and 12th as a sales tax holiday.
