House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North
Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative Jim Kelcourse
(R-Amesbury) as a member of the economic development bond bill conference
committee.
The House of Representatives and the Senate recently passed
different versions of the economic bond bill, which is designed to promote job
creation and retention in the Commonwealth.
The House has authorized $915.5 million in borrowing over the next five
years to recapitalize the MassWorks infrastructure program and to fund a
variety of grant programs to assist municipalities and employers, while the
Senate has approved $743.9 million in capital spending over three years.
Representative Kelcourse will serve on the conference
committee alongside Senators Eileen Donoghue (D-Lowell), Karen Spilka (D-Ashland)
and Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth), as well as Representatives Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee)
and Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill). The conferees
will try to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of
the bill so a compromise proposal can be sent to Governor Charlie Baker for his
signature before the end of formal legislative sessions on July 31.
“As a member of the Joint Committee on Economic Development
and Emerging Technologies, Representative Kelcourse has a clear understanding
of the many challenges that stand in the way of creating a more favorable
business climate and improving the state’s economy,” said Representative
Jones. “I am confident that Jim will be
an asset to the conference committee as it works to develop a plan to help spur
economic development and job creation throughout the Commonwealth.”
“I’m excited about this opportunity to serve on the
conference committee,” said Representative Kelcourse. “Not only is economic growth and job creation
vital to Massachusetts, but it’s also very important to Newburyport, Salisbury
and Amesbury.”
Representative Kelcourse represents
the First Essex District. A former Amesbury city councilor, he currently
serves on the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging
Technologies; the Joint Committee on Education; and the Joint Committee on
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
