Baker-Polito Administration Awards Job Creation Incentives to 22 Life Science Companies

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Job Creation Incentives to 22 Life Science Companies

 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center awards $19 million to foster job growth in the life sciences throughout the Commonwealth

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $19 million in Massachusetts Life Sciences Center tax incentive awards, to 22 life sciences companies from across Massachusetts. The tax incentive awards will create 1,276 new jobs in the Commonwealth in 2017, and support life sciences job growth in 13 Massachusetts cities and towns. Nearly three-quarters of this year’s awardees are located outside of Boston and Cambridge. The awards were approved today by the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).

“The Commonwealth is rich with talent and the spirit of innovation and I am pleased to announce these awards as an incentive to support more growth in the life sciences sector, said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is focused on creating more jobs and supporting our economic engine to ensure Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in life sciences.”

“We are working to ensure every community has the opportunity to welcome the benefits of Massachusetts’ nationally-leading innovation economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This award round advances that goal, by bringing new jobs to communities in every corner of the state, from Salem’s waterfront to the Berkshires.”

For the past two years, the MLSC’s competitive tax incentive program has focused on increasing regional diversity of the Massachusetts life sciences sector, augmenting the program’s manufacturing investments and giving opportunities to small- and medium-sized enterprises. The MLSC has recruited more applicants from companies located outside Boston and Cambridge, and awarded more tax incentives to small and medium companies, to encourage job creation in every region of the state.

“With this round of incentives, the Baker-Polito administration reinforces our commitment to job creation across Massachusetts,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “These awards will support our innovation economy and help foster growth in the life sciences and the Commonwealth’s overall economy.”

“Massachusetts produces the highest density of science and technology graduates in the United States, and by accelerating the growth and success of small- and medium-sized businesses, we can more effectively retain this crucial talent,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These incentives are one of the reasons we have been so successful in growing life science companies to scale, and we will continue to make strategic, impactful investments to provide our rich innovation ecosystem with the support it needs.”

“More exciting than the new jobs that are anticipated through this round of the program is the fact that so many are being created outside of the traditional areas we associate with innovation,” said Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “We are committed to helping life science companies scale up and grow in the Commonwealth, both those born here and those global leaders with a growing footprint in the state.”

The 22 life sciences companies that have been authorized to receive tax incentives, the city or town in which they are located, the amount awarded and each company’s job creation commitment for 2017 are as follows:

Company	Location	Incentive Amount	Jobs
Abiomed Inc	Danvers	$750,000	50
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.	Waltham	$495,000	33
Alkermes, Inc.	Waltham	$1,500,000	100
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Cambridge	$1,875,000	125
Anika Therapeutics, Inc.	Bedford	$225,000	15
Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine	Marlborough	$750,000	50
Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing	Lee	$370,000	25
Blueprint Medicines Corporation	Cambridge	$525,000	35
Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Inc.	Salem	$330,000	22
Confer Health	Charlestown	$150,000	10
EMD Holding Corporation	Billerica	$1,200,000	80
Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.	Cambridge	$270,000	18
Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc	Boston	$300,000	20
Insulet Corporation	Billerica	$1,650,000	110
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc	Waltham	$150,000	10
ProTom International Holding Corporation	Wakefield	$150,000	10
RADIUS HEALTH INC	Waltham	$150,000	10
Sage Therapeutics Inc.	Cambridge	$1,500,000	100
Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc.	Lexington	$3,000,000	200
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.	East Walpole	$2,058,000	84
TESARO, Inc.	Waltham	$1,800,000	120
WAVE Life Sciences	Cambridge	$735,000	49

The Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program was established in 2008 as part of Massachusetts $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. The program authorizes tax incentives each year for growing companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization and manufacturing. The primary goal of the program is to incentivize life sciences companies of all sizes to create new, long-term jobs in Massachusetts.

The Life Sciences Act provides for 10 different incentives, which address the significant capital expenditures associated with the life sciences R&D cycle and the high costs of translating research into commercially viable products. This is the eighth year that incentives have been provided under the program.

The Tax Incentive Program is jointly administered by the MLSC and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), which oversees the technical administration of the incentives. Jobs that are created must be maintained for at least five years. The Tax Incentive Program mandates that awarded companies submit reports and respond to inquiries by the MLSC and DOR regarding employment figures. If a company receiving a tax incentive under the program does not meet and maintain their minimum threshold for job creation, the credit can be recovered by DOR, requiring that the company pay back all or a portion of the tax incentives received.

As of June 30, 2016, 122 companies had active or completed tax incentive awards from prior years, totaling more than $113 million. Those prior awardees have created more than 5,400 new jobs after receiving their tax incentives.

Baker-Polito Administration Establishes Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts

Baker-Polito Administration Establishes Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts

State’s first advisory council on aging will guide administration policy to support healthy aging 

CAMBRIDGE – Today, at MIT AgeLab in Cambridge, Governor Charlie Baker signed an Executive Order establishing the state’s first Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts. The Council will develop a plan to improve public and private efforts to support healthy aging in Massachusetts, to achieve the goal of making the Commonwealth the most age-friendly state for people of all ages. Older adults are the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population and they will make up 23% of the Commonwealth’s population by 2035.    

 “The notion that people are fully retired at the age of 65 is inconsistent with what I see around Massachusetts every day,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Many of our older adults still have ample time, energy and talent available to start a second or third career, volunteer in their community, become a mentor or pursue an unfulfilled passion. I look forward to the council’s work considering ways for the state to improve public and private means for supporting and engaging with older adults.”

The council will be co-chaired by two social workers, philanthropist Eileen Connors and Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, and is comprised of leaders across the business community, health care, technology and innovation, advocacy organizations, caregivers, and municipal leaders.

“Each municipality across the Commonwealth must be prepared to support an aging population,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.  “I look forward to the council’s recommendations on what the state can do to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of older adults, while protecting their right to live in respectful, inclusive communities, free of ageism.”

“Many older adults work, volunteer, and contribute to their communities through civic engagement,” said Eileen Connors, Council Co-Chair. “One in four people 65+ volunteer in a variety of capacities and continue to contribute to our state.”

“The Council will identify current effective and efficient practices, gaps in services and opportunities to support healthy aging,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services and co-chair of Council.  “The Council’s plan will also include recommendations on improving public awareness of and access to services for older adults and family caregivers.”

“Healthy aging requires actively engaging with older adults as contributors to the social, economic, and civic fabric of our communities and encouraging physical and psychological health and well-being,” said Alice Bonner, Secretary of Executive Office of Elder Affairs. 

“Increased longevity is among humankind's greatest achievements,” said Joseph F. Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab. “The challenge we now face is to live not just longer, but also better. Innovations being developed here at MIT and throughout the Commonwealth promise to improve life for older adults and their families. Moreover, these new technologies, services, and related businesses are fast positioning Massachusetts as the global leader in the fast-growing longevity economy.”

The Council will be supported by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The full list of Council members  is below:

• Eileen Connors, Philanthropist, Co-Chair
• Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Co-Chair
• Bill Caplin; Retired, Insurance & Financial Planner, Transamerica Life Companies and Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
• Ruth Moy, Executive Director, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
• Joseph F. Coughlin, Director, MIT AgeLab
• Rosanne DiStefano, Executive Director, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc.
• Kevin J. Dumas, Mayor, City of Attleboro
• Tom Grape, Chairman and CEO of Benchmark Senior Living
• Dan Henry, Chief Culture Officer, Bright Horizons
• Laura Iglesias M.D., Geriatric Medicine, Baystate Medical Center
• Steven Kaufman, Clinical Psychologist
• Brian O’Grady, Ph.D, Director, Williamstown COA & MCOA President
• Janina Sadlowski, Head of Quality & Regulatory Philips Home Monitoring  
• Amy Schectman, President and CEO,  Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly
• Tom Riley, President & CEO, Seniorlink
• Ger Brophy, Chief Technology Officer, Life Sciences, General Electric Healthcare
• Beth Dugan,  Associate Professor, Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School, UMass Boston.
• Betsy Howell-Hampton, Vice President, Population Health at Reliant Medical Group
• Nora Moreno Cargie, President, Tufts Health Plan Foundation
• Alicia Munnell, Director, Boston College Retirement Research Center
• Kate Fichter, assistant secretary for policy, MassDOT
• Alice Bonner, Secretary of Elder Affairs
• Ron Walker, Secretary of Workforce Development 
• Jay Ash, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development

The Council is expected to deliver a preliminary report to the Governor by the end of 2017.

Educator of the Year Award Winners Announced

Educator of the Year Award Winners Announced

Boston Public Schools teachers recognized by Mayor Walsh, BPS, and Boston Teachers Union

BOSTON - Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - Boston Public Schools (BPS), Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and the Boston Teachers Union (BTU), are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Boston Educator of the Year Awards. The selected winners, who will be honored at tonight's Boston Celtics game at TD Garden, are recognized as exemplary educators who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of their students and community members. "A great teacher can change a student's life," said Mayor Walsh. "It's so important to recognize the effort of those who work every day to make a difference in the lives of our young people, and I'm proud to congratulate the Educator of the Year award winners for their outstanding contributions to the Boston community." Teachers, families, students, community members, and others were all invited to nominate educators who had had an impact on themselves, or someone they know, and to honor their work and dedication through this award. "The Boston School Committee is continuously impressed by the dedication of our teachers to supporting student growth and working tirelessly to close opportunity and achievement gaps," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "The connection the winners and honorable mentions have formed with their students continues to inspire our students to embrace their creativity. We thank them for their tireless commitment to the students of Boston." The award recipients are: James Louis, TechBoston Academy Denise Steere, Hernandez K-8 Dual Language School John Defina, Brighton High School Michael Andrews, Josiah Quincy Upper School Ryan Flynn, Beethoven Elementary School Sorange Corona-Whalen, Beethoven Elementary School Kendra Martin, Lilla Frederick Pilot Middle School The honorable mention recipients are: Danielle Moran, Curley K-8 School Jana McCarthy, West Roxbury Academy Lillian Holland, Guild Elementary School Nora LaCasse, Boston Community Leadership Academy Samuel Texeira, Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Theresa Sousa, Otis Elementary School Thierno Tall, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers "The winners of the Educators of the Year Award truly go the extra mile to help our students thrive," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "We are fortunate to have such a diverse group of educators who are so deeply devoted to meeting students' individualized needs to help them reach their full potential. Thank you to the winners, finalists, and all of the committed and hardworking teachers of the Boston Public Schools." Award winners will be celebrated on April 12, 2017, center court at the Boston Celtics' final regular season home game. "The Boston Teachers Union is proud of all of our hardworking teachers and staff who do continuously strive to meet the needs of students and families," said BTU President Richard Stutman. "The Educator of the Year Award is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their important contributions and provide them the recognition they deserve. Congratulations to the winners, finalists, and all of our teachers and staff  who work everyday -- usually without recognition of their accomplishments  --  to help the youth of Boston."

Democrats say Baker Needs to Stop Treating T Riders as Second Class Citizens

Democrats say Baker Needs to Stop Treating T Riders as Second Class Citizens

BOSTON - Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford released the following statement in advance of tomorrow's meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board where board members are reportedly considering cuts to service:

"Governor Baker told us that cutting commuter rail service was off the table. Now, he's is trying to sneak through drastic service cuts and refusing to tell riders whether the train they rely on is on the fast track to elimination. Incredibly, Baker's  is still considering cutting all commuter rail service on either Saturdays or Sundays and may cut the RIDE service for disabled passengers.

"The Governor seems oblivious to the needs of riders in Worcester and Fitchburg, on the South Shore, or up North who rely on weekend trains to get to work and back home, or to visit Boston or the beach.

"The Baker Administration should be focused on holding the private commuter rail contractor accountable for its terrible performance record, not trying to eliminate service at the last minute and hope that no one will notice. Massachusetts can't boast of a world class economy if the Baker Administration keeps running a second class transportation system. The Governor needs to stop treating the people who depend on the the T as second class citizens "

CAPAC Chair Calls for Answers Regarding Removal of Asian American Passenger from United Airlines Flight

CAPAC Chair Calls for Answers Regarding Removal of Asian American Passenger from United Airlines Flight

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) sent a letter to United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, raising concerns over the violent removal of an Asian American passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 3411. Chair Chu also sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that she disclose any findings of DOT’s review of this incident. CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu released the following statement:

“I am deeply disturbed by the footage of a ticketed United Airlines passenger being forcibly removed from his flight. U.S. airlines should ensure the safety of their passengers. In this instance, the mistreatment of an Asian American passenger in order to accommodate United’s employees resulted in serious physical injury and an appalling abuse of rights. As more details regarding this incident continue to emerge – including the recent revelation that the flight was not oversold – we are left with more questions than answers.

“I sent a letter to United Airlines and the U.S. Department Transportation asking for complete clarity behind this matter, including answers as to why violent force was necessary to remove this passenger, and whether any Federal laws or regulations were violated during this horrific incident. I look forward to a prompt response to these letters. No passenger should feel unsafe while flying.”

A full copy of both letters can be found below.

Letter to Oscar Munoz, Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines:

April 11, 2017

Mr. Oscar Munoz

Chief Executive Officer

United Airlines

233 S. Wacker Drive                    

Chicago, IL 60606

Dear Mr. Munoz:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I write to express serious concern regarding the handling of an overbooked United Airlines flight during which an Asian American passenger was forcibly removed from the aircraft.

Over the past few days, multiple videos have surfaced online of aviation security officers violently removing David Dao from his seat aboard United Airlines Flight 3411. According to multiple news reports, this incident occurred after United Airlines attempted to bump four ticketed passengers from a Chicago to Louisville flight in order to accommodate its own employees. Four passengers, including Dr. Dao, were randomly selected for removal. However, after Dr. Dao questioned these efforts, he was aggressively thrown to the ground and dragged off the flight by aviation officials.

United’s public response to this situation has resulted in more questions than answers. Although overbooking is a common practice among many commercial airline carriers and is not illegal, I am deeply concerned by the disturbing actions taken by United to remove Dr. Dao.

I am also concerned by the internal memo you sent to United Airlines employees earlier this week during which you noted that crewmembers “followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this.”

In order to better understand how exactly United’s “established procedures” led to this disturbing treatment of a ticketed passenger, I request your response to the following questions:

1.      Under what specific conditions in United’s current procedures are violent uses of force acceptable to the airlines and aviation security personnel?

2.      Which of the aforementioned conditions were met in this situation that led to the violent removal of United Airlines passenger Dr. David Dao?

3.      Does United Airlines plan to implement any policy changes as a result of this incident?

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,              

JUDY CHU

Member of Congress

CAPAC Chair

Letter to Secretary Elaine Chao, Department of Transportation:

April 11, 2017

The Honorable Elaine Chao

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Chao:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I write to urge the Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough investigation into the alarming handling of an overbooked United Airlines flight during which an Asian American passenger was forcibly removed from the aircraft.

According to multiple news reports, United Airlines wanted to bump four ticketed passengers from a Chicago to Louisville flight in order to accommodate four of its own employees. The airline allegedly offered passengers vouchers up to $800 before randomly selecting four passengers for removal. One passenger, Dr. David Dao, questioned these efforts and was violently dragged off the flight by aviation security.

United Airlines’ public response to this situation has resulted in more questions than answers. Although overbooking is a common practice among many commercial airline carriers and is not illegal, I am deeply concerned by the disturbing actions taken aboard United Airlines Flight 3411 to remove Dr. Dao.

While I understand that your Department is currently reviewing this case, it is imperative that we have more information on the industry practices that led to this particular incident and whether these policies meet Federal standards. Your Department is uniquely positioned to protect passengers from such gross violations of their basic rights. I request that you share any findings from your review with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, including whether any Federal laws or regulations were violated during this incident.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

JUDY CHU

Member of Congress

CAPAC Chair

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $15.7 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR PRESERVATION OF BOSTON'S RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $15.7 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR PRESERVATION OF BOSTON'S RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS

Renovation and preservation project includes inventory, environmental, mechanical, and service improvements

BOSTON - Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the launch of a major capital project at the Boston Public Library to help preserve its historic rare books and manuscripts collections, as outlined in Mayor Walsh's Fiscal Year 2018 - Fiscal Year 2022 (FY18-FY22) Capital Plan being released tomorrow. "The Boston Public Library has the distinct honor of serving as the steward of some of our nation's finest and most historic collections," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud that through this Capital Plan, we are able to invest in the preservation and care of these collections to ensure their longevity and increase public access to these cherished items." The first phase of the project commenced in February 2017 with an inventory of the Rare Books & Manuscripts Department's nearly 250,000 rare books and one million manuscripts, in preparation for the second and major phase of the project: substantial renovation with a focus on environmental and mechanical improvements to better regulate temperature and humidity control of the department's collection storage areas, staff spaces, conservation lab, and public reading room. The project will be managed by the City of Boston's Public Facility Department, and the total project is estimated to cost approximately $15.7 million between FY18-FY20. This capital project continues the Boston Public Library's renewed commitment to improve intellectual control and custodianship of all its special collections that began with the Print Department inventory launched in 2015. The Rare Books & Manuscripts Department serves as the Boston Public Library's principal repository of rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts of permanent or enduring value collected for their intellectual content and historical significance. Highlights of the library's extraordinary holdings-one of the largest in the United States-include medieval manuscripts dating from as early as the 10th century; Colonial and Revolutionary War letters and documents; early printed books; and President John Adams's personal library. "As stewards of these most valuable and historic collections, we take our responsibility for their care extremely seriously; initiating this capital project ensures our rare books and manuscripts collection will be preserved, accessible to all, and utilized as intended today and for the future," said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. "This significant project enables the Rare Books & Manuscripts Department to better serve the public by creating a sustainable preservation environment that is critical to the collection's long-term care," said Laura Irmscher, Boston Public Library's Chief of Collections. To accommodate the inventory project, rare books and manuscript materials are on a limited viewing schedule until Thursday, April 27, when the collections will close to accommodate the environmental and mechanical improvement work. For more information on the viewing schedule, please visit here. Special accommodations are currently being planned for viewing of other BPL special collections materials such as items from the BPL's print and art collections. During the closure, patrons may visit archive.org/details/bostonpubliclibrary and www.digitalcommonwealth.org to view a portion of the Library's Special Collections. Limited remote reference services will also be available. Today's announcement complements Mayor Walsh's proposed FY18 operating budget, which was released last week, and is designed to balance sustainability and increased investments in key initiatives to more fully supports Boston's neighborhoods.