“This is a significant investment to create good-paying jobs in every region of the state, while at the same time elevating research and education at UMass,” a Reilly adviser said.
With job and population growth stagnant in the past several years, economic development has become a central issue in this year’s governor’s race. The state’s population dropped by nearly 19,000 between 2003 and 2005, according to census data; a nationwide survey commissioned by the Globe this spring found that 39 percent of those who left cited a better job as a major factor.
First of all, I applaud this proposal. Many of the Gubernatorial candidates have been discussing proposals that would advance higher education in the state, especially at UMass. It’s good to see specifics.
My question is this – how does Mr. Reilly propose that the state cover it’s share of the cost?
The money — $400 million in state funds and $100 million to be raised privately — would be spent over five years under the direction of a panel of private and public sector advisers, according to an outline of the proposal obtained by the Globe. The funds could be used to hire faculty and research teams, to support research labs and equipment, and to bring products using new technologies to market.
That’s a large chunk of change from someone who wants to cut the state’s revenues by $517 million per year.
I imagine Reilly’s going to pay for it with the same money Gabrieli and Patrick are going to use to keep the public schools open an extra two hours a day.
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Not complaining — two good ideas, mind you. I’m starting to think that in campaigns, Democrats promise spending they can’t truly pay for, and Republicans promise tax cuts they can’t truly pay for. At least Democrats realize they’re wrong once they’re in office. Republicans don’t until they’ve been kicked out.
But my point is that while DP and Chris Gabrieli are both proposing new expenditures, they are less gung-ho about the income tax rollback. (I still don’t quite know where Gabrieli stands. 2 debates and it’s something like “I’m for it… eventually.”)
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I’m tired of politicians telling us that we can have tons of great government services and our money back too.