House Speaker DeLeo Touts Computer Science, Worker Training In Jobs Bill

Joined by officials from Google and Microsoft as well as business and labor groups, House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Tuesday introduced economic development legislation that calls for a new emphasis on computer science in education.

Economic Development Committee Co-chairman Rep. Joseph Wagner of Chicopee recalled an emphasis on reading, writing and arithmetic when he was growing up. "Now it's computer science," he said.

The bill calls for a $1.5 million investment, with private sector matching funds, to develop and implement computer science education in public schools.

DeLeo recounted investments in gaming and the life sciences and touted a proposed $2 million investment in the big data and analytics industry, calling it an "exciting sector" with a high potential for job creation.

The bill also directs $2 million to recapitalize an internship "talent pipeline" program and creates an angel investor tax credit capped at $5 million statewide. The bill provides $10 million for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund and calls for expanded housing programs and a "transformative development fund" aimed at real estate development.

DeLeo said he would have further announcements later in the week about economic development beyond the Rte. 495 area.

The bill includes $15 million for a Middle Skills Job Training Grant Fund, including grants to community colleges and vocational-technical schools for training in information technology and advanced manufacturing.

The House bill does not include Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal to eliminate non-competition agreements in employment contracts that some in the venture capital and high-tech sectors see as stifling to innovation and start-up growth.

To answer critics who suggest the contract clauses prevent former employees from spreading trade secrets, Patrick had also proposed to adopt the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.