Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, a practicing attorney and member of The Real Estate Bar Association, commended real estate attorneys on their important role of creating jobs and thereby improving the economy, a role he said was shared by the state Legislature. DeLeo was the luncheon keynote speaker at the 2013 Spring Conference, held May 6 in Norwood.
He cited the state’s unemployment rate, which at 6.4 percent is far lower than the national figure, but which could still use improvement, he said.
Another focus was the House’s recently-passed $500 million transportation bill, which DeLeo called a major reform because it gives the Massachusetts DOT and RTA the ability to increase fares, and also, by moving employees off the capital budget, it saves as much as $300 million a year. He said every dollar paid out of the capital fund costs the state $1.75. The bill also brings tolls back to the western part of the state on the Massachusetts Turnpike. But the bill is subject to veto by Gov. Deval Patrick, who has proposed a more ambitious $1.9 billion transportation plan.
DeLeo commented on the state’s comprehensive jobs bill that streamlines the permitting process. “We’re very aware of permitting [issues],” he said. “Often financing withers on the vine while developers wait for permit [approval].” The bill extends an automatic four-year extension for permits for developers of real property, and expands expedited permitting under Chapter 43D. It removes the need for EACC approval, and includes a brownfield tax credit that was included in the budget passed last month. In addition, it supports training programs, as well as offering matching grants for university-sponsored projects, and offers a head start for innovation startups. This, he said, would provide incentives for the best and brightest students attending college in Massachusetts to stay here after graduation.
Additionally, he noted the state’s initiative to provide STEM training to pre-college and college students in the arenas of science, technology, engineering and math.
He cited the importance of well-run registries of deeds, and said that the state’s gaming development initiative continues to gain momentum, and is regarded as one of the shortest pieces of gaming legislation in the United States. Access to license revenue of $195 million would earmark $30 million for community colleges, he said.
Email: coneill@thewarrengroup.com
