Earlier today at the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum, Congressman Ed Markey discussed the Waxman-Markey bill and its impact on jobs in Massachusetts. 

You can find coverage of the event here and here.

On Monday, June 8, the Chamber will host a Government Affairs Forum luncheon with Congressman Ed Markey.

The Dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, Congressman Markey works to harness the energy and focus of his colleagues on behalf of the entire Commonwealth. A national leader on energy and the environment, Markey chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.  Under his leadership, this critical new committee has held more than 50 hearings and contributed to the advancement of smarter energy and climate policies, including the first increase in fuel economy standards in three decades.  He also chairs the newly created Energy and Environment subcommittee, which will have unprecedented jurisdiction over national energy policy and play a central role in drafting energy and climate legislation in a new era of change.

To register for this event, click here.

Today, the Chamber hosted a Clean Tech Forum with moderator Ian Bowles, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and panelists Tim Healy, chairman & CEO of EnerNOC; Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud, founder & CEO of Boston-Power, Inc.; and Hemant Taneja, managing director of General Catalyst Partners and chairman of the New England  Clean Energy Council. Among many topics of discussion were renewable energy, energy regulations, the role of strong state and federal energy legislation, and the importance of reducing waste.

To view images from today’s event, click here.

The Clean Tech Forum was covered by the Boston Business Journal.
 

In the spirit of Earth Day, next week the Chamber will host a a special forum on Clean Tech: Fueling Innovation and Growth in Massachusetts.

The clean technology industry is a driver of innovation and job creation here in Massachusetts, even during this time of economic downturn.  Governor Deval Patrick and President Barack Obama have both made ‘green jobs’ an economic priority and the Commonwealth seems particularly well positioned to benefit.  Already, clean energy firms in Massachusetts account for more than 14,000 jobs – with an annual job growth rate of 20 percent.

The region’s colleges and universities are increasing their research in renewable energy, and the state could see an infusion of federal stimulus money for wind power and efficiencies. 

This unique clean technology panel with focus on the future of this industry in Massachusetts and offer Chamber members the opportunity to hear directly from some of the key players in government, development, and venture capital funding. The panel will be moderated by Ian Bowles, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and will feature:

• Tim Healy, chairman & CEO of EnerNOC
• Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud, founder & CEO, Boston-Power, Inc.
• Hemant Taneja, managing director of General Catalyst Partners and chairman of the New England Clean Energy Council  

We hope you will join us for this unique event.

To register, please click here.

Earlier today, Senate President Therese Murray spoke at the Chamber’s Government Affairs Forum. 

To view images from today’s event, click here.

This event was covered in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.  The entire event will be broadcast on WBUR 90.9 at 8:00pm this Sunday, April 19. 

Don’t miss the next Government Affairs Forum with US Congressman Edward Markey on Monday, June 8!  For event details and registration, click here.

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for sponsoring the Government Affairs Forum.
 

The future of the newspaper industry was the topic of discussion on yesterday's edition of This Week in Business with our monthly business editors roundtable.

The Boston Globe's Shirley Leung, Boston Herald's Frank Quaratiello, and Boston Business Journal's George Donnelly offered their takes on the future of the Globe and the industry as a whole.

Chamber President & CEO Paul Guzzi has an op-ed in today's Boston Herald, outlining the need for a stronger Rainy Day Fund for Massachusetts. 

"There is no doubt it is raining - even pouring - and use of reserves to help navigate this crisis is warranted," writes Guzzi. "It is equally clear that we lack an adequate plan for recapitalizing the fund - leaving state government with a significant weakness against future downturns."

Read the full op-ed here.

You can also read the full Chamber proposal for strengthening the fund here.

Chamber EVP Jim Klocke went ‘On the Record’ last night to discuss the Chamber’s newly released proposal to increase the size of the Rainy Day Fund in Massachusetts.

Senator Therese Murray, president of the Massachusetts State Senate, will be the featured speaker at the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum on April 15.

Since being overwhelmingly elected by her colleagues to lead the Senate in March of 2007, Murray has succeeded in driving a number of legislative initiatives.  She was the sponsor and key driver of a health care cost control bill enacted in 2008 that will hold health care providers and insurers to new standards of transparency and modernize the state’s health care delivery system.  Murray has also driven passage of laws addressing renewable energy sources and efficiency, the biotech and life science industry, and improvements to our housing, education, and transportation infrastructure.  Thanks to her leadership, the Commonwealth benefits from a top bond rating and health Rainy Day and unemployment trust funds.

First elected to the Senate in 1992, Murray has long worked to protect the industries of her South Shore and Cape Cod district.  She has been a strong advocate for the promotion of local tourism, protection of the environment, and enhanced security at Pilgrim Nuclear Plant and other important facilities throughout Plymouth and Barnstable Counties.  Murray previously served as director of the Municipal Women’s Project, community relations consultant for Times Mirror Communications, and founder and treasurer of South Shore Cablevision.

To register for this event, click here.

Earlier today, Putnam Investments CEO Robert Reynolds addressed the Chamber’s Financial Services Forum.  Reynolds called for officials to do even more to combat this financial crisis, partly by proposing a suspension of mark-to-market accounting rules to improve the credit system.  Reynolds also called on the banking industry to increase lending and find ways to slow foreclosure rates.  He warned against keeping “zombie companies” alive with federal life support, and suggested that government aid should not be given unless companies have a well-developed recovery strategy in place.  If companies fail to use taxpayer money efficiently, Reynolds recommends that the government let these companies fail.  Lastly, he urged the Obama Administration to focus more heavily on the economy and act more aggressively to solve its problems. 

To view images from today’s event, click here.

This event was covered by the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Investment News.
 

This morning, Massachusetts State Treasurer Timothy Cahill addressed the Chamber’s Government Affairs Forum.  In his address, Cahill outlined his proposal to introduce Video Lottery Terminals, or slot machines, to the state of Massachusetts as a new source of revenue.  His plan would license three locations geographically around the state and provide each location with approximately 2,500 to 3,000 machines. Depending on the exact number of machines issued, Cahill estimates that this proposal could generate gross annual revenue of between $752 million and $903 million dollars.  One third of the revenue would go to replenishing the state’s reserve account, a third would go to creating a public higher education endowment for the University of Massachusetts, and a final third would be used to boost state retiree health care.  Given the difficult external environment, Treasurer Cahill emphasized the importance of considering new revenue streams.
 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

Today’s event was widely covered by the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, WBUR, South Coast Today, and Forbes.
 

Treasurer Cahill’s address will be broadcast on WBUR 90.9 at 8:00pm this Sunday, March 8.
 

Don’t miss the Chamber’s next Government Affairs Forum with Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo on March 31.  For event details and registration, click here.
 

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for sponsoring this forum.

 

Additional media coverage from yesterday’s Government Affairs Forum with Governor Deval Patrick can be found in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Harvard Crimson, Sun Chronicle, State House News, USA Today, and the Daily Free Press.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was the featured speaker at this morning's Government Affairs Forum.

The Governor's speech focused on the economic stimulus package and what it means for Massachusetts.  He also answered questions on the gas tax and his west coast trip.

Click here to view pictures from the event.

Several media outlets covered the speech, including The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, WCVB, WHDH, WBZ radio, WBZ TV, and NECN.

 

Chamber president Paul Guzzi went ‘On the Record’ last night to discuss possible implications of the newly passed economic stimulus bill for Massachusetts.  He says that the passing of the bill is good news for the country, and will benefit Massachusetts in terms of infrastructure and health care.

Mary Lou Andre will be the featured speaker at the Chamber's Women's Network breakfast on Wednesday, March 11, at the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common.  

Andre is a nationally recognized corporate image consultant, speaker, and author. She is founder and president of Organization By Design, Inc., a Needham-based wardrobe management, fashion, and image consulting firm that helps individuals and organizations understand the power of being appropriately dressed in a variety of situations.  Through her extensive corporate, retail, and private client services, Andre has helped thousands of individuals identify and pull together a wardrobe that compliments their professional and casual lifestyles.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Andre officially opened Organization By Design in April of 1992 after several years in public relations.  She is the editor of Dressing Well™ On-Line, Organization By Design's trademarked global connection that averages 20,000 visitors per month. She is also the author of "Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe."  Andre is a frequent media commentator on issues such as professional image, wardrobe organization, personal style, and retail, and her fashion and professional image insights are regularly featured in national publications such as In Style, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Working Mother, and The Washington Post.

Click here to register for this event.

Today the Chamber honored the winners of its 2009 Pinnacle Awards. 

This year’s honorees were recognized for their accomplishments in the following categories:

Lifetime Achievement: Myra Kraft, President, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. 

We are all familiar with the incredible on-field success of the New England Patriots.  Yet the impact of the Patriots Charitable Foundation and the Kraft Family foundation under Myra’s leadership is equally impressive. A tireless worker on behalf of the organizations she serves, Myra has been recognized for her devotion to community-based organizations that are often overlooked by substantial donors. 

The Kraft Family Foundation focuses on furthering educational initiatives and other civic minded causes, donating to medical, educational, and arts organizations as well as numerous Jewish groups.  And the Patriots foundation gives to a wide variety of youth sports organizations, Catholic schools, and programs for at-risk children. 

Achievement in the Professions: Diane Patrick, Partner, Ropes & Gray LLP.

With an extensive background in law, public education, and human resources – it is no surprise that Diane has seen the positive impact of strong and diverse teams.  At Ropes & Gray, she is working with colleagues and The Partnership, Inc. to develop an Attorneys of Color Leadership Program.  Launched in 2008, this program brings together young lawyers from firm offices across the country to place them on the right roads to success, and help them navigate the inevitable challenges.

Achievement in Management, Private Sector:  Julie Kahn, Vice President/New England Market Manager, Entercom New England.

As the driving force behind WEEI, America’s most listened-to sports radio station, Julie has paved the way for women in sports radio.  She has built a broadcast empire that spans New England – syndicating Boston sports across nine radio stations in four states – and is expanding on the web.  Julie and her team also have an extraordinary impact on the community – raising over $20 million for charities such as the Jimmy Fund.

Achievement in Entrepreneurship: Andrea Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO, HouseWorks.

Guided by her own personal experience, Andrea founded HouseWorks to change the way care was delivered to seniors at home.  She understood that as the population aged, many seniors wanted to stay in the homes where they raised their children and lived their adult lives.  Through innovation, Andrea and her team have achieved financial success and positive social change – bringing all the benefits and safeguards of senior housing to the doorsteps of seniors and their families.

Achievement in Management, Government: Luisa Paiewonsky, Commissioner, Massachusetts Highway Department.

At a time when state government has never been more challenging and state workers are consistently underappreciated, Luisa stands out as a true public servant.  A former intern who worked her way through the Department of Transportation, Luisa does not seek the limelight, yet has achieved great success at every stop in state government.  Her mission seems simple: fix our roads and bridges and keep our highways safe.  In reality, her task is one of our region’s most difficult.

Achievement in Management, Non-Profit: Mimi La Camera, President, The Freedom Trail Foundation.

Boston’s Freedom Trail is a key link to our nation’s past, and a main driver of Boston’s visitor industry.  Yet, when Mimi took over in 2005, the organization had huge debt and no vision for the future.  Under her leadership, the Foundation has eliminated its debt, built an endowment, and increased tours 40%.  Mimi has grown the role of the Freedom Trail in education, and last year orchestrated the celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary.

Excellence in Arts & Education: Linda Edmonds Turner, Ph.D., President, Urban College of Boston.

As the recession continues to deepen, Linda’s task of providing education and workforce training to Boston’s non-traditional adult learners has never been more critical.  Her achievements – including two new workforce training opportunities for Urban College students and the establishment of a mentoring culture – have led to increases in enrollments and graduates throughout her tenure. Linda continues to make a positive difference in the lives of all her students, while also helping to provide new job opportunities and improve workforce development in our region.

Emerging Executive: Susan Esper, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP.

An outstanding executive in Deloitte’s financial services group, Susan is also a leader in the company’s diverse culture. Since 1994, Susan has headed Deloitte’s Initiative for the Retention & Advancement of Women (or “WIN”) in New England, helping to develop the company’s most promising women professionals.  In order to leverage the culture WIN created, Susan developed the Deloitte New England Women’s Leadership Forum, a series of networking and professional development opportunities for senior women from Deloitte’s clients.

Now in its 15th year, the Pinnacle Awards are presented by the Women’s Network of the Greater Boston Chamber. The awards honor women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhance the quality of life in the region.

The Women’s Network was founded in 1994 to promote and expand economic opportunities throughout the Greater Boston region for all women in business through shared leadership and expertise. The Women’s Network offers programs that provide career enrichment and development opportunities for women at all professional levels, spotlight the accomplishments of women, and promote the positive influence that women have upon the Greater Boston region.

CEO Summit: 'Confronting the Crisis' is now available online!

President-Elect Obama takes office January 20th in the middle of the worst financial crisis since the great depression. Unemployment is climbing. The auto industry pleads for government help to stay afloat, and high-flying financial institutions have been humbled. This program looks at how the crisis has impacted New England.

Hosts Paul Guzzi and RD Sahl are joined by Henri Termeer, Chairman, President and CEO Genzyme Corporation; Bob Pozen, Chairman, MFS Investment Management; Gloria Larson, President, Bentley University; Richard Feldt, CEO, President, Evergreen Solar.

This segment begins with an overview of the current economic crisis. Our CEOs: in life sciences, financial services, higher education and the green economy talk about how the nation's financial meltdown and credit crunch has affected their specific companies and industries.

Don't miss additional media coverage of yesterday’s Government Affairs Forum with Mayor Thomas Menino in today's Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Metro, and Belmont Citizen-Herald!

Closing out the 2008 Government Affairs Forum series, City of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino spoke today to more than 500 Chamber members at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. 

Having dedicated over 10 years of leadership to this great city, Mayor Menino discussed ways to bolster Boston’s economy and stimulate job growth.  He announced his $40 million plan titled ‘Boston Invests’ which looks to invest in stalled city projects to strengthen the economy and generate a return on investments.  Mayor Menino reinforced his support of foreclosure prevention as part of economic recovery, and also announced his plan to seek greater contributions from universities and hospitals in an effort to increase the city’s value.  The mayor closed on a positive note, urging residents to look forward and build on the city’s strengths. 

To view images from the event, click here.

This high-profile event was covered by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.  The event can also be heard in its entirely at 8:00pm this Sunday,
December 14, on WBUR 90.9.

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for sponsoring the Government Affairs Forums. The 2009 series will kick-off with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. Check the blog next week for registration details!

On January 29, the Chamber will host our 15th annual Pinnacle Awards, honoring the accomplishments of eight women in Greater Boston who have achieved excellence in business and management.  Today we are delighted to announce the 2009 honorees, who will be recognized for their accomplishments in the following categories:  

• Lifetime Achievement: Myra Kraft, President, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation
• Achievement in Entrepreneurship: Andrea Cohen, Co-Founder&CEO, HouseWorks
• Achievement in Management, Private Sector: Julie Kahn, Vice President/New England Market Manager, Entercom New England
• Achievement in Management, Government: Luisa Paiewonsky, Commissioner, Massachusetts Highway Department
• Achievement in Management, Non-Profit: Mimi La Camera, President, The Freedom Trail Foundation
• Achievement in the Professions: Diane Patrick, Partner, Ropes&Gray LLP
• Excellence in Arts&Education: Linda Edmonds Turner, Ph.D., President, Urban College of Boston
• Emerging Executive: Susan Esper, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP

We invite you to join us on January 29 at the Westin Copley Place, as we celebrate these remarkable women and their significant professional achievements. 

Click here to view photos from last year's event, or click here to view the list of past winners.