PHILADELPHIA – The second-ranking executives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts found common ground today in a discussion that highlighted how both states are driving innovation and economic growth through investments in education, workforce development, technology and health care.
“Here in Pennsylvania, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has secured nearly $26 billion in private-sector investment and created more than 12,000 new jobs since we took office — and we’re continuing to make strategic investments that will keep our state growing,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “It was great to sit down with my friend and fellow lieutenant governor, Kim Driscoll, to talk about the opportunities we have for collaboration, as well as the challenges Pennsylvania and Massachusetts are facing, as the federal government continues to cut vital investments in research and education.”
“In Massachusetts, we have made historic investments that keep our state at the forefront of education, health care and innovation. Together, Governor Healey and I cut taxes for the first time in 20 years to save our residents money, streamlined regulations making it easier to start a business, made community college cost free, and expanded apprenticeship programs to support our next generation of workers," said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. "I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis for hosting us in Pennsylvania this week, and for all of his efforts to build the connections and insights that lead us to better policy, stronger partnerships and lower costs for the residents of our states."
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is hosting a three-day “City to City” program in Philadelphia, bringing more than 60 public and private-sector leaders from the Bay State to the Keystone State. Earlier today, Davis and Driscoll participated in a fireside chat moderated by Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO James E. Rooney.
“Our annual City to City program is one of the many ways that we convene our region's policymakers and business leaders to exchange strategies and sharpen our competitive edge, and the discussion between Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Davis is an example of leaders sharing their vision for economic growth,” said Rooney. “I am grateful to the Lieutenant Governors for exploring important issues, including transportation, budget priorities, and research funding. This type of collaboration is how we can remain innovative and resilient, seizing opportunities so all people and all businesses can be successful in Massachusetts.”
During their conversation, the lieutenant governors discussed how federal cuts to research and higher education are hurting their states’ economies. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland have estimated that cuts to the National Institutes of Health cost Pennsylvania’s economy more than $100 million, including lost salaries from those laid off and the decreased spending of those workers. In Massachusetts, those federal cuts have cost the state more than $3 billion and 14,000 jobs.
Both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and continue to advocate for maintaining robust levels of federal research funding, including through the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, with participating chambers of commerce from across both states.
The lieutenant governors also emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure and public transit. Davis, who is the son of a union bus driver, emphasized the positive impact of transit, noting that each dollar invested in public transit generates $5 in economic activity.