By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Marlborough – At the Oct. 21 Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Speakers Breakfast Lt. Gov Tim Murray paid tribute to those residents of the commonwealth who have served in the National Guard and/or armed services.
“With Veterans Day approaching, it's important to recognize the incredible sacrifice these men and women have made,” he said. “In some cases, some residents have served five or six deployments. We need to support not only them, but also their families and make sure they have the resources they need.”
One way the Patrick Administration is doing so, he said, was to work with Chambers of Commerce across the state to help promote the practice of hiring veterans.
“They have skill sets like no others,” he added.
Noting that the state pays for 75 percent of veterans programs, he added that he felt it important that each town also have a veteran's affair officer to help facilitate the needs of the individual and their families.
Murray also touched upon several other issues at the meeting.
Continually working to improve the life sciences sector will only serve to strengthen the Massachusetts economy, he said. As such, he and Gov. Deval Patrick are committed to “aggressively” making this issue a priority in their administration.
It was important, Murray said, that students who graduate from many of the commonwealth's colleges and universities have the opportunity to stay and work in the state. Internships that then lead to job offers are critical, he said, in order to keep “talented young professionals” from leaving the state after they graduate.
It was also imperative, he said, to continue to develop and devote resources to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives as well, in schools and businesses.
“There's a lot of STEM activity across the state,” he noted. “We are seeing hundreds and hundreds of random acts of STEM. But we also need to recognize best practices when it comes to this area.”
On the issue of casinos, he said he had “mixed feelings on this, because I know it will create jobs. But it makes sense that it will happen.”
It was still too early to tell, though, he cautioned, as to where those casinos would be sited.
“The decision as to where they will be chosen will be based on dollars and the support from the local communities,” he said.
