<<

71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _CVR:Layout 1 4/7/09 12:06 PM Page 1

2008

New England Council Offices

Boston 98 North Washington St. Suite 201 , MA 02114 Phone: 617-723-4009 Fax: 617-723-3943 Email: [email protected]

Washington 331 Constitution Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-547-0048 Fax: 202-547-9149 Email: [email protected]

The Council gratefully acknowledges Northeast Utilities System for its support in the production of this report.

Photo credits: Image Photo (Margaret Brett Hastings), Harry Brett Photography

THE YEAR IN REVIEW Regional Priorities & Programs 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _CVR:Layout 1 4/7/09 12:06 PM Page 3 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 1

2008 PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear New England Council Member:

By the end of 2008, grim economic news seemed to dominate every day’s head- lines. And, the outlook ahead is uncertain. Banking and credit markets remain turbulent. Energy costs have seen extraordinary highs and lows. Unemployment continues to rise and consumer spending is lagging. It is a daunting, difficult environment – and policymakers in Washington are struggling with decisions that have far-reaching consequences for our region. Each major sector we represent in our membership – whether healthcare, energy, financial services, transportation, technology or higher education – is under enor- James T. Brett mous pressure at this point in time. And, each sector potentially faces a significant degree of governmental involvement in its business in the year ahead. Whether it is aggressive “re-regulation” of the financial services industry or an overhaul of the healthcare system, the reality is that congressional and regulatory activity will have a direct effect on the organizations that call New England home. Your active involvement in Council efforts, particularly through participation on our six public policy committees, helps us keep our efforts focused on those issues that are most relevant to the region’s economic success and quality of life. As you page through this book, you will note the extraordinary degree of access our members enjoy with New England’s Congressional delegation and other political leaders. The Council’s primary goal is to help create effective dialogue with these decision-makers so they understand the consequences of their actions on our members throughout the region. Maintaining a healthy financial services sector, educating and transforming our future workforce, maintaining a comprehensive and reliable transportation infra- structure, creating incentives for entrepreneurship and innovative research, providing a clean environment and reducing energy costs and creating a health- care system that provides the best treatment for patients with equitable reimburse- ment to the payers, providers and suppliers involved continue to be at the center of the Council’s efforts in Washington. As always, we appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to working with you in the challenging year ahead to support policies that are beneficial to our special region’s economy and quality of life. Very truly yours,

James T. Brett President and CEO

1 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 2

2 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 3

2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Public Policy Advocacy ...... 5

Energy & Environment ...... 5

Financial Services ...... 8

Healthcare ...... 10

Higher Education ...... 12

Technology ...... 13

Transportation ...... 15

II. Council Initiatives ...... 17

New England Older Workers Initiative ...... 17

Children’s Health Project ...... 17

Student Loan Survey ...... 18

Manufacturing in New England ...... 18

III. Programs and Events ...... 19

Conferences, Forums and Meetings ...... 19

Congressional Roundtable Series ...... 21

Speakers ...... 23

2008 Annual Dinner ...... 24

Capitol Hill Activities ...... 25

IV. Communications and Publications ...... 28

V. Published Articles ...... 29

VI. New Council Members ...... 30

VII. Board of Directors ...... 31

VIII. New England Congressional Directory ...... 35

3 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 4

WELCOME

The New England Council, the country’s oldest regional business organization, is an alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public, private and nonprofit organizations, working together to promote economic growth and a high quality of life throughout the region. The Council is dedicated to identifying and supporting federal public policies and articulating the voice of its membership on important issues facing New England. The New England Council is also committed to working with public and private sector leaders across the region and in Washington through educational programs and forums for information exchange. The Council’s consensus policy recommendations are currently generated through six member committees: I Energy and Environment Committee: addresses federal legislation and regula- tory activity that impacts the region’s energy markets and environmental land- scape; I Financial Services Committee: works to support public policy priorities that will strengthen the industry and monitor regulatory and legislative changes that affect the sector; I Healthcare Committee: strategizes and develops an advocacy plan for health care proposals, assesses the industry and its impact on the economy in terms of Medicare and other government programs; I Higher Education Committee: examines federal public policies and regional initiatives and develops advocacy strategies and position statements that benefit New England’s higher education institutions; I Technology Committee: works to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, research and development tax credits and funding, and to align the curriculum of the region’s higher education institutions with the needs of the business community; and, I Transportation Committee: works to provide a cohesive New England message on transportation funding and legislation before Congress. New England Council staff in Boston and Washington work with our policy committees to develop policy agendas. They also continually monitor develop- ments at the federal level that affect issues important to the region’s economic growth. Each week Congress is in session, the Council’s Washington staff provides timely updates and analysis for each committee via the Weekly Washington Report.

4 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 5

2008 I. PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY

The 2008 political year was dominated by a historic nominating process and presi- dential election, and as expected, much of the political rhetoric from the campaign trail spilled over to Capitol Hill, slowing progress on a number of long-term Council priorities. But despite an environment that often lent itself to inactivity, the Council was proud to celebrate a number of victories in 2008 – many with the help of an active and influential New England Congressional delegation. These positive developments include a revival of the critical Research & Development tax credit, approval of a long-term funding and strategic blueprint for Amtrak, and vital steps to strengthen the financial services industry. The Council was successful in efforts to dramatically increase home heating funding during a time of great volatility in energy markets, pass a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act to increase student loan capabilities, and bring together federal, state, and local leaders at a regional transportation summit to highlight the importance of regional cooperation in the 2009 surface transportation bill. The year 2008 ended with Congress and the President failing to reach agreement on a number of Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills, passing a multi-month Continuing Resolution through late winter 2009 and allowing the 111th Congress to direct annual funding for the second half of FY09. Included in the Continuing Resolution was temporary funding for such Council priorities as the National Institutes of Health, the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository and federal student loan programs. The New England Council is pleased to highlight some of our successes from 2008 and our priorities for 2009 and the 111th Congress.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT The Energy and Environment Committee, chaired by Mark Kalpin, Partner at WilmerHale, highlighted an active year with a Capitol Hill meeting in June to release the Council’s “Framework for A National Program to Address Climate Change.” The Council’s white paper focused on the need for a national cap-and- trade program to address climate change. The Washington meeting attracted staff from over a dozen offices of the New England congressional delegation and was followed up by Council members and staff meeting with almost every delegation office, as well as a full meeting of the Committee in WilmerHale’s Washington, DC office. The Energy & Environment Committee also held meetings in Boston in January and October, hosting public and private-sector speakers on the impor- tance of long-term, balanced and forward-thinking energy policies.

5 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/7/09 11:39 AM Page 6

A. Climate Change Efforts New England’s economic health is closely tied to the health of its environment, and the region continues to suffer from pollution generated elsewhere that gets swept into the Northeast. In addition, 2008 was a year that saw the price of oil reach $145 a barrel and gas exceed $4 a gallon. The volatility of unpredictable energy prices underscores the importance of increasing domestic sources of renewable and alternative forms of energy – while recognizing the importance traditional sources of energy play in our day-to-day economy. Throughout the year, Congress considered a number of short-term ideas for lowering energy prices, including strengthening and asking the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to become more involved in oil futures regulation, placing a temporary moratorium on the federal gas tax, and eliminating federal prohibitions on energy exploration in formerly protected areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. The Council was pleased to release its climate change white paper in the midst of the Senate debate over climate change legislation during 2008. Looking ahead to 2009, both the incoming leaders of the respective committees in the House and Senate overseeing climate change bills in 2009 (and the new administration) have indicated such legislation is a top priority for their committees. The New England Council is well-positioned on this issue heading into the 111th Congress, having laid out a clear and concise series of principles and presented them to each member of the New England Congressional delegation.

B. Renewable and Conventional Energy Promotion In addition, the Council will continue to advocate for increased federal resources and incentives to spur the development of renewable, non-carbon-based forms of energy such as wind and solar power. The Council monitored a number of initia- tives presented in both houses of Congress in 2008 (including the extension of renewable energy tax credits). Renewable energy will remain a priority for the Council, given the potential the industry has for the New England region. New England is proud to boast some of the world’s top academic institutions and high- tech firms and continues to achieve breakthroughs in a number of fields, including the development of alternative and other clean energy technologies. There is tremendous potential for New England to reap the benefits of a “green economy” through research and development activities, job training, and sustainable employment opportunities. While the development of the next generation of power generation technologies is critical to our future, the Council continues to recognize the role played by providers of traditional energy and the need to address other policy issues – including the need to modernize electric power grid and develop a stronger infrastructure for the delivery of liquefied natural gas.

6 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 7

2008

James Brett and U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

C. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) For years, the Council has been a strong advocate for the nation’s LIHEAP program, underscoring its importance for New England residents who live in one of the coldest areas of the country. A large percentage of New England homes rely on heating oil to survive the winter months. Over the last few years, the LIHEAP budget received modest increases, but struggled to keep up with the rising cost of heating oil. Despite the dramatic fall in the cost of oil in the second half of 2008, robust funding for the LIHEAP program continues to be vital for the New England region. On several occasions in 2008, Council staff lobbied Congressional delegation members for increased LIHEAP funding, including a letter leading into the final days of the pre-election Congressional session. These efforts were well-received, and with the strong support of the New England Congressional delegation, the Fiscal Year 2009 LIHEAP budget represented a 96% increase from the $2.6 billion appropriated in FY08. It will be a challenge to sustain that funding level in the 111th Congress, and aggressive funding for the LIHEAP program will remain a priority for the Council.

7 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 8

D. Nuclear Waste Storage A great deal of the current energy debate centers around how to find sources of safe, reliable, affordable, sustainable and non-carbon-based energy sources that can be manufactured domestically. While both presidential candidates indicated support for the nuclear energy industry, it now appears that the new Administration may not continue to support funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository. The year was important for the continued development of the Yucca Mountain repository. In June the Department of Energy submitted a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the repository, and before Congress adjourned for its summer recess, the Council contacted every member of the New England Congressional delegation urging support for aggressive funding for a central repository. Some 25 years ago, the federal government agreed to take responsibility for the safe disposal and storage of up to 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear waste at an underground repository. To pay for the federal nuclear waste management program, the nuclear waste fund was established and funded by a tenth of a cent per kilowatt hour fee paid by the ratepayers who benefit from the electricity generated by nuclear power. Ratepayers throughout the country continue to pay into the Nuclear Waste Fund, an increased cost especially felt in New England where energy costs are well above the national average, in hopes of successfully completing a unified storage site. The license application was subsequently docketed by the NRC in September, another positive step. However, the Senate Majority Leader, a vocal opponent of the Yucca Mountain site, continues to signal his intentions to kill the program. Yucca Mountain received $390 million in funding in FY08, and the Council will support a robust budget for the program in going forward.

FINANCIAL SERVICES Members of the Council’s Financial Services Committee faced a number of chal- lenges this year and responded with a busy year that yielded a number of successful outcomes. Led by Jim Febeo, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy for Fidelity Investments, the Financial Services Committee held three meetings in 2008, inviting influential speakers such as Eric Rosengren, Pres- ident and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Jim Segel, Special Counsel to the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank (D-MA).

8 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 9

2008

A. Stabilizing the Housing Industry In 2008, increasing turbulence swept the financial services industry and the Council worked quickly to bring the interests of its members to policymakers in Washington as events unfolded. The first half of the year saw Congress renewing its focus on the health of Government-Sponsored Enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and continuing its reach into the mortgage market with changes to the Federal Housing Administration. As the year progressed, the industry was hit by the downturn of a number of major firms, as well as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the continuing struggles of the credit market. Congress responded by passing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 containing the Troubled Assets Relief Program, a $700 billion financial rescue plan aimed at freeing up clogged credit markets critical to economic activity. Congress structured the plan to expedite the release of half the $700 billion into credit markets immediately, with the remaining $350 billion being subject to increased Congressional oversight. In conjunction with a number of our members, the Council worked quickly as the rescue plan came together to contact key congressional members to voice Council support for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. As the year closed, many members of Congress expressed concern that the TARP lacked appropriate accountability and transparency. A number of oversight boards directed harsh criticism at the Treasury Department for its early handling of the TARP. This skepticism on Capitol Hill intensified after the Treasury released funds to struggling domestic auto makers late in 2008. As the 111th Congress debates the future of the TARP, as well as long-term struc- tural changes to the financial services industry, the Council will play an active role in shaping the debate, supporting balanced, effective regulation of New England’s vitally important financial services industry.

B. Long-term Financial Industry Changes While it may be some time before Congress addresses the overall structure of the industry, earlier this year the U.S. Treasury released a “Blueprint” for financial industry reforms. As several pillars in the financial services community began to deteriorate, and the economy continued to worsen, the need for such reforms received greater attention, and Congress began discussing a number of broad concepts for institutional change, as well as targeted provisions aimed at certain sectors of the economy. A number of the smaller initiatives that the Council will monitor in 2009 are a strengthening of the Securities and Exchange Commission practices, crackdowns on the billing practices of credit card companies, and greater responsibilities placed on companies offering investment and retirement services.

9 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 10

C. Tax Policy The year 2008 began with a significant economic stimulus proposal that included tax rebate checks to millions of American families, as well as two business tax incentives. The latter included an expansion of the bonus depreciation in 2008 to allow for a 50 percent bonus deduction on new equipment and increases in the maximum amount businesses can write off on expenses under Section 179 from $128,000 to $250,000. The final package also included a temporary adjustment in the conforming loan limits of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration. Another one-year patch to blunt the reach of the alternative minimum tax passed with far less fanfare than in 2007, hitching a ride on an unrelated bill late in 2008 – side-stepping another protracted debate over whether or not to offset the mammoth provision. Whether Congress passes one or several stimulus proposals in 2009, the Council will be active in ensuring Congress recognizes the importance of the business community in creating jobs and jumpstarting the economy. This includes tax incentives for job creation and economic expansion when creating stimulus or recovery bills, as well as revisiting the original 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, many of which are set to expire in the coming years.

HEALTHCARE Led by Laurel Sweeney, Senior Director of Reimbursement and Legislative Affairs at Philips Healthcare, the Healthcare Committee has participated in key discus- sions with several healthcare policy experts, and works to serve as a focus group for the New England Congressional delegation and their staffs. During the second legislative session, the Committee hosted a policy telebriefing with Chris Dawe, a member of Senator Kerry’s health care policy team. In October 2008 the Council facilitated a healthcare discussion with John McDonough, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Pensions, and Labor Committee, who gave the Council a preview of the healthcare priorities planned for the 111th Congress. The event was hosted by , CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan and Chair of The New England Council Board of Directors. Looking forward to the 111th Congress, healthcare reform, including nationwide HIT adoption, reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and a restructuring of the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be more cost efficient, are all likely to be on the agenda. The Healthcare Committee comprised of many of New England’s healthcare stakeholders – medical providers, insurers, research institutions and healthcare policy experts – will continue to advocate the region’s healthcare interests in the next Congress.

10 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/2/09 1:41 PM Page 11

2008

A. National Institutes of Health Funding New England’s research facilities continually develop critical medical advances that are inextricably linked to the region’s, and the nation’s economic well being. For this reason, the Council continues its strong support of increased NIH funding. Although Congress failed to approve a Fiscal Year 2009 Labor-HHS appropria- tions bill before the year’s end, the Council hopes funding levels for this cycle will be significantly higher than Fiscal Year 2008 Labor-HHS funding. The Council will also look for additional NIH funding opportunities in any supplemental or emergency appropriations measures that may be considered throughout 2009.

B. Health Information Technology In 2008, the Council continued to closely monitor progress on HIT legislation in the House and Senate. Although a consensus on health information technology best practices was not reached, two major pieces of legislation were introduced and/or moved though the Committee process during the 110th Congress. The Wired for Health Care Quality Act (S.1693) was reintroduced in the Senate and the Protecting Records, Optimizing Treatment, and Easing Communication through Healthcare Technology Act (H.R. 6357) was introduced in the House and approved by the Energy and Commerce committee. Both HIT legislative proposals await further negotiations on patient privacy protections, and are expected to be considered next Congress. Balanced HIT legislation has been a Council priority for several years, and will continue to be in the 111th Congress. The Healthcare Committee will build upon the priorities outlined in the Council’s HIT principles instituted in 2005, and work with the members of the New England delegation to develop a comprehensive HIT strategy as the nation addresses healthcare reform.

C. Medicare Physician Payment Fix In response to pressure from physicians and seniors concerned about losing access to certain Medicare services, Congress overrode the president’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331) and the bill became law in enough time to provide short-term relief to physicians who would have otherwise experienced a 10.6% cut in Medicare payments. In July 2008 H.R. 6331 replaced the physician Medicare payment cut with a modest boost in payments (1.1 percent), and included other provisions to create or extend Medicare services and improve the overall effectiveness of the Medicare program.

D. Health Parity The 110th Congress passed and President George W. Bush approved legislation to improve healthcare access for Americans with genetically determined health condi- tions and those with mental health and substance abuse disorders. During the second legislative session, H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, was passed to prohibit health plans from refusing or limiting health coverage

11 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 12

based on genetic information. Congress then approved H.R. 6983 – the Paul Well- stone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act – to require health plans that offer mental health coverage to offer the same benefits for treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders that are provided for the treatment of other medical disorders.

HIGHER EDUCATION The 110th Congress made a long-term commitment to higher education by passing legislation to make college more accessible and affordable. In July 2008, Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the first reauthorization in a decade of the 1965 landmark Higher Education Act. Congress also approved the Continued Access to Student Loan Act in response to the trouble in the finan- cial markets, which ensured continued access to federal and private student loans. In addition, college students in New England and around the nation experienced a slight, yet helpful, interest rate reduction on their federal student loans made possible under the College Cost Reduction Act. The Council’s Higher Education Committee led by Dr. Paula Rooney, President of Dean College in , has been a leading voice in the region’s higher education debate, and a strong advocate for New England’s higher education priorities in Washington. In August, the Council joined with the New England Board of Higher Education to administer a survey to gauge the effects of the student loan crisis throughout the region. The survey found that though students and higher education institutions were affected by the credit markets fallout, New England fared well in comparison to other regions in the nation. The Council released the survey’s findings at a roundtable breakfast with Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) in Boston, and distributed the results to the 34 members of the New England Congressional delegation.

A. Higher Education Affordability During the second legislative session, Congress enacted the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loan Act which increases the loan amounts available to students, gives parents more time to repay federal PLUS loans (extends deferment period to 6 months after students’ graduation) and makes PLUS loans more accessible, and allows the federal government to purchase loans from lenders of last resort who are unable to secure capital due to instability in the financial credit markets. The bill was signed into law by President Bush in May 2008.

B. Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization As the first overhaul of higher education law approved by Congress since 1998, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 included several major reforms. It created a simplified financial aid application form for students and parents, estab- lished a web-based college cost price-index (which requires schools to report tuition increases, graduation rates, etc.), limited lobbying activities of federally- funded colleges and universities, increased the maximum Pell grant funding limit

12 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/2/09 1:41 PM Page 13

2008

to $6,000 per student for the 2009-10 school year (and $8,000 in the 2014- 15 school year), and makes Pell grant funding available to qualified students year round. The bill also established a grant program designed to incentivize college campuses to become more energy-efficient, build partnerships with businesses through the creation of science, technology and foreign language education programs, limit grants funding available to states whose higher education funding fall below reasonable funding levels, and required fuller disclosure of loan terms and conditions. The Council applauds Congress’ passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, and is pleased with the continued support of the New England delegation on higher education issues. The Higher Education Committee will continue to monitor the affects of the student loan crisis on the region. The Committee will also monitor the progress and implications for higher education of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization, which is likely to be the main education focus in the 111th Congress.

TECHNOLOGY The Council’s Technology Committee, chaired by Annmarie Levins, Associate General Counsel at Microsoft, continued its focus on two overarching issues addressed by Congress this year: the research & development tax credit and federal immigration policy related to highly skilled foreign workers employed in the United States on a temporary basis.

A. Research & Development Tax Credit After being allowed to expire at the end of 2007, reviving and retroactively extending the Research and Development tax credit was a top priority for the Council in 2008. Fortunately, a significant percentage of the New England Congressional delegation viewed it as a priority as well, and Congress attached a two-year retroactive extension of the expired R&D credit (for all of 2008 and 2009, with the Alternative Simplified Credit rate increasing to 14% in 2009) to the larger financial services rescue bill passed in the fall. The Council reached out to New England’s Congressional delegation on a number of occasions this year to revive the R&D credit, demonstrating its importance to the regional economy. An Ernst & Young study released in April illustrates the importance of the R&D credit to the New England region, showing that in 2005 nearly 4,300 New England businesses reported some form of research and devel- opment activity, with over 2,400 of those in Massachusetts. Four New England states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and ) are above the national average in R&D activity as a share of their gross state product. New England can and will lead the nation in technological and medical break- throughs that will change the way generations of Americans live their lives. A seamless extension of the expired research and development tax credit is an invest- ment in those breakthroughs. By successfully acting to extend the credit before

13 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 14

adjourning in 2008, Congress helped ensure this critical research will continue. However, the success only lasts until its next scheduled expiration – the end of 2009. The Council will continue to push for seamless (and if necessary, retroac- tive) extensions so that New England entrepreneurs and businesses can thrive in an environment that recognizes the importance of ground-breaking research.

B. H-1B and H-2B Visas One of the greatest constraints to continued economic growth in New England is the scarcity of skilled workers for area businesses. Faced with an older workforce, stagnant population growth and a declining interest in science, technology, engi- neering and math (STEM) fields among college-bound students, the region’s busi- nesses have become increasingly dependent on foreign workers with STEM backgrounds. The nation’s H-1B visa program is designed to allow companies to supplement their current workforce with highly skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations like engineers and architects. In late April, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it had received enough requests for Fiscal Year 2009 H-1B visas to meet the limit of 65,000 – estimating it received more than 163,000 applications. On the heels of this overwhelming demand, a bill was introduced in the Senate, the Global Competitiveness Act of 2008, to increase the number of H-1B visas awarded annu- ally to 115,000 (with an additional 30,000 for advanced degree applicants), and to reauthorize 150,000 visas from past years that went unused. The Council supported increasing the number of visas issued under the H-1B visa program. The Council also supported retaining the exemptions for the higher education sector, which attracts a considerable number of foreign students seeking advanced degrees along with foreign-born professors specializing in subjects that are highly sought after by our higher education institutions. The Council also advocated for increasing the number of H-2B visas allowing foreign nationals to enter the United States temporarily to engage in non-agricul- tural employment that is seasonal in nature. Certain businesses across New England, particularly those associated with summer and winter resorts, have traditionally relied on foreign workers to supplement the staff during their busiest months.

C. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Education Jobs requiring technical training are growing at five times the rate of other occu- pations, but producing enough STEM-educated graduates to fill those jobs has become a national challenge. The number of high school seniors planning to pursue engineering degrees has decreased some 36 percent since 1996, with nearly one-third of those students switching majors before graduating. These concerns are especially pressing in New England. Unlike other regions that depend on natural resources or geography, one of our region’s greatest economic strengths has been its highly educated technical work force. New England is a

14 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:48 AM Page 15

2008

world leader in areas such as IT, defense and biotech, environmental services, healthcare and research. These industries drive the regional economy and are dependent on workers with superior STEM skills. National Science Foundation research demonstrates that satisfactory math and science elementary education, early exposure to STEM careers through role models and mentors, and effective college retention programs are all critical factors in developing the STEM-educated workers of the future. The Council continued to urge the federal government to adopt a long-term strategy to promote STEM education. Our recommendations included creating incentives to boost the number of qualified STEM teachers, increasing investments in university programs that retain and attract students in STEM fields, increasing investments in technology-based educational tools, and providing businesses tax incentives for teacher externship programs. As the 111th Congress takes up the No Child Left Behind reauthorization in the coming months, the Council will strongly encourage significant funding for STEM programs in education curriculum.

TRANSPORTATION New England is home to one of the nation’s oldest transportation networks. Conse- quently, our region faces a number of infrastructure challenges that threaten our economic competitiveness. In April 2008, the Council hosted a regional transportation summit at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. The summit featured ten members of the New England Congressional delegation, as well as a number of state officials and regional transportation stakeholders who came together to discuss strategies to address New England’s transportation needs. During the summit, the Council and HNTB Corporation released a report Working Together: The Importance of the New England States Developing a Regional Transportation Strategy. This white paper called for the establishment of a multi-state coalition to deal with the region’s infrastructure needs, and offered recommendations to facili- tate regional collaboration. As the Congress struggles with efforts to spur economic recovery, transportation infrastructure has been central to the discussion about how to create new jobs quickly. Legislation likely to be considered includes a surface transportation bill to improve our nation’s transportation system – to address national competitiveness, congestion control and passenger safety – and a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration which is currently operating under a short-term extension set to expire in March 2009.

A. Amtrak In October 2008, Congress reauthorized the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the first time in a decade. The Rail Safety and Improvement Act provides $1.6 billion over five years to the FRA for the establishment of improved safety measures that protect passengers and railroad workers. Among other

15 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/7/09 11:39 AM Page 16

passenger safety provisions, it requires railroads to develop training standards for railroad workers, limits daily shifts for railroad workers to 12 hours a day with at least ten consecutive hours of rest during a 24-hour period and creates a disaster assistance program for the families of accident victims. The bill also broadens the oversight operations of the FRA inspection procedures to include bridge safety, track safety, grade-crossing safety and enforcement. The Rail Safety and Improvement Act also reauthorizes Amtrak and invests $13 billion over a period of five years in our nation’s passenger rail system. The bill provides critical funding needed to improve rail service in the Northeast Corridor. It provides Amtrak with more than $8 billion in capital and operating grants for improvement, creates a competitive grants program for states that develop innova- tive and enhanced intercity passenger rail service, provides $1.5 billion to states, Amtrak, or private entities to develop 11 high-speed rail corridors throughout the nation, and provides Amtrak with $1.4 billion for debt elimination. The bill also included an initiative to expand rail service between New Haven, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts, and calls for Amtrak and the two states to work together to make such expanded service possible. The Council supported and applauds these important steps, and will continue to advocate for the safety, expansion, and maintenance of passenger rail vital to our region’s economy.

B. Bridge and Highways Infrastructure In September 2008, Congress and the Administration approved an $8 billion transfer from the General Fund to restore the nation’s Highway Trust Fund. The measure was approved as a stop-gap for a multi-billion dollar deficit in the Highway Trust Fund. The deficit was exacerbated by a significant decrease in revenues generated by the 18.4 cent federal gas tax as more Americans opted to use other modes of transportation (i.e. walk, bike, carpool, public transportation) to escape the soaring gas prices, which hit $4 per gallon by mid-summer. Later that month, the House passed the “Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008.” The legislation, intended to jump-start the economy, provided $61 billion in additional federal funding, including $12.8 billion for highways and bridges and $4.6 billion for transit projects, with preference given to “construction ready” projects. Members recognized that construction projects must be past the design stage and ready for construction to commence immediately for such funding to have any real “stimulus” effect. To determine the number of “construction ready” projects in New England, the Council asked each New England state’s transportation officials to identify both the top three and total number of projects that could be under construction within 180 days, along with the cost and estimated number of jobs created for each project. Based on each state’s response, the Council estimated that there were 170 such projects in the region requiring $1,614.6 billion to complete. Providing funding for all of these projects would create 44,923 jobs along with producing employment income of approximately $1.6 billion.

16 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 17

2008 II. COUNCIL INITIATIVES

Massport’s Tom Butler and Senator Edward Kennedy.

The Council engaged in a number of initiatives with the shared objectives of promoting the economic well-being as well as quality of life in the region.

NEW ENGLAND OLDER WORKERS INITIATIVE The Council’s Commission on Older Workers continued its work on the Older Workers Initiative by participating in a forum sponsored by the New England Public Policy Center. In addition to the previously published individual New England state reports, Commission members are drafting a white paper outlining the issue and recommending legislative and policy changes. Ultimately, we hope to present our findings to the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROJECT Earlier last year, the Council teamed with the New England Alliance for Children’s Health, a project of Community Catalyst, to identify areas of common concern between the business community and children’s health advocates. To gather data and information, staff organized a series of focus group meetings of Council members throughout New England. Dr. Paul Harrington, Associate Director of the Center for Labor Market Studies, facilitated the discussions.

17 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/2/09 1:41 PM Page 18

The focus groups identified three issues very clearly tied to our region’s economic competitiveness: Productivity – caring for a sick child can create an enormous pressure on the parent and the company through lost work and decreased productivity. Cost – relying on emergency room services rather than preventive care increases the cost of the entire healthcare system to individuals and businesses; and Health of the Future Workforce – today’s children, our next generation of employees, run the risk of becoming young adults in poor health with an obvious impact on the productivity and competitiveness of New England’s employers. There have been six group meetings to date, with the project scheduled to conclude with a summary paper that will review the issues raised and recommen- dations suggested.

STUDENT LOAN SURVEY Conducted in mid-August, and jointly sponsored by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and the Council, the survey asked financial aid offi- cers from 214 of the region’s colleges and universities to assess the impact and effectiveness of the federal government’s response earlier last year to the student loan problem. The responses revealed that students and parents experienced little to no problems accessing federal student loans despite the sub-prime lending crisis and related concerns about the availability of college loans. The survey results were shared with members of the New England Congressional delegation and their staff.

MANUFACTURING IN NEW ENGLAND On behalf of the Council, Deloitte Consulting has undertaken a manufacturing initiative, “Reexamining Advanced Manufacturing in New England – Prospects for the Future,” to examine the potential for industry growth within the advanced manufacturing sector in the region. Deloitte discovered that successful advanced manufacturing sectors include the following industries: aerospace; medical devices, semiconductors and related high end electrical components; and material sciences – all of which require highly skilled workforces and innovation. Also, advanced manufacturing is large scale and highly networked in New England, something that is unique to the region. Within the field, job growth has stabilized and productivity is accelerating despite the current economic environment, but a new regional innovation framework may be more successful in accelerating growth. The project will continue to focus on developing actionable recommendations with measures for success.

18 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 19

2008 III. PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Over the past year, the Council continued to host or participate in numerous breakfast, lunch and dinner programs, seminars, forums and conferences throughout New England and in Washington. The wide range of events gave Council members many opportunities to discuss issues affecting the regional economy with policymakers. Additionally, the annual Washington event included a White House briefing and Capitol Hill Reception.

CONFERENCES, FORUMS AND MEETINGS

A. Transportation Forum More than 160 federal and state transportation officials, members of regional planning and transit organizations, and university professors and faculty were invited by New England’s congressional delegation to discuss greater regional cooperation in advance of the next federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation. The conference, “New England Collaboration: Ideas for the Region’s Transportation Future,” took place on April 6 and 7 of 2008 at St. Anselm College and was organized by the New England Congressional delegation and the Council to allow delegation members to engage in a dialogue with regional transportation experts in a comfortable learning environment. Ten members of New England’s Congressional delegation led panel discussions concerning federal funding, economic development, interstate agency cooperation, and affordable housing and the environment as they relate to transportation. Additional panelists included the heads of each New England state’s transportation department, federal transportation officials, members of regional planning commissions and regional transit authorities, as well as faculty from university-run transportation centers.

Dominion’s Managing Director Daniel Weekley with Senator Edward Kennedy.

19 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 20

As a result of this conference, and at the request of both our Congressional delega- tion and each of the state transportation departments, the Council has worked to determine the best method for our congressional delegation to collectively influ- ence the crafting of the forthcoming transportation reauthorization bill.

B. Congressman Shay’s Transportation Summit Based on the success of the Council’s Transportation Conference, Council staff members were invited by Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) to participate in a town meeting event in Connecticut to discuss federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation. Sponsored by Congressman Shays, “Transportation & the 21st Century – A Forum on the Future of Transportation: SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization and Beyond,” took place on June 16, 2008 at the Westport Town Hall in Westport Connecticut. Acting as the moderator, Congressman Shays led the participants, including federal, state and regional transportation officials through a discussion and question and answer session on topics surrounding the coming reauthorization legislation.

C. A Forum on Surface Transportation Policy In October of 2008 Council President Brett moderated a discussion of the federal government’s role in transportation policy at a forum hosted by Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Bernard Cohen. Forum participants included Congressmen Michael Capuano and John Olver, along with state and local transportation officials.

Steve Tocco from ML Strategies, Bob Sheridan from Saving Bank Life Insurance and Alan MacDonald from the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

20 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 21

2008

D. Cyber Security Awareness Workshop with Department of Homeland Security The Council joined with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on October 20 of last year to hold a half-day workshop at the Bank of America in Boston on improving cyber security aware- ness. The workshop focused on the value of integrating cyber security into busi- ness continuity planning, preparedness and training initiatives. Headlining the event was Rear Admiral Michael Brown, Deputy Assistant Secre- tary for Cyber Security and Communications, DHS, from Washington, DC. Several New England Council members including EMC, Comcast and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, showcased their companies’ approaches to preventing cyber attacks and safeguarding private information.

CONGRESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE SERIES

A. Congressman Jim Langevin Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) joined over 100 Council members at the Provi- dence Westin Hotel on January 10, 2008 to discuss his priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which included a focus on domestic issues such as affordable healthcare and improved education. The event was sponsored by Citizens Bank.

B. Congressman Peter Welch Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) visited with members of the Council at a February 25, 2008 breakfast meeting at the Hampshire House in Boston. In addi- tion to discussing healthcare reform and the economic climate, Congressman Welch addressed the bipartisan climate in Washington.

C. Attorney General Martha Coakley On June 9, 2008 Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley joined Council members at a luncheon hosted by Bank of America in Boston. Coakley discussed Massachusetts’ move towards competitive, market-based automobile insurance rates and her efforts to curtail predatory lending practices.

D. Congressman James McGovern Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) talked about the growing federal deficit and other issues at a June 17, 2008 event sponsored by K & L Gates in Boston. McGovern also discussed the war in Iraq, healthcare and his week spent living on food stamps to highlight the growing problem of hunger in America.

21 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 22

E. Senator Jack Reed United States Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) attended a Council sponsored breakfast at the Hampshire House in Boston on June 30, 2008. Reed discussed the mortgage crisis and corresponding credit crunch, increasing fuel costs, our military position in Afghanistan and Iraq, our relationship with Israel and the challenges awaiting the next administration.

F. Congressman John Tierney Massachusetts Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) attended a Council-sponsored breakfast at the Hampshire House in Boston in early September, 2008. Tierney discussed his work on educational issues, primarily the necessity for a rigorous, adequately funded, nationwide STEM program, and workforce development issues.

G. Congressman Michael Capuano On September 15, 2008 the Council hosted a Roundtable Breakfast with Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA) at the Hampshire House in Boston. The event was particularly timely – as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services Congressman Capuano was involved in the initial discussions between Secretary Paulson and the House leadership over what ultimately became the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

H. Congressman Stephen Lynch On December 5, 2008 Council members joined Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch for breakfast at the Hampshire House. Lynch (D-MA), who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, discussed the outlook for the financial services sector in 2009 and possible reform measures.

I. Congressman Richard Neal Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), the recipient of The New England Council‘s New Englander of the Year award, addressed Council members on December 18, 2008, at a breakfast hosted by Fidelity Investments in Boston. Neal spoke about the optimism he was sensing among his colleagues and constituents about the incoming Administration, despite the economic recession. He also emphasized the bipartisan cooperation that must take place in Congress to end the recession, renew our economic growth and to find some type of meaningful middle ground on our present and future involvement in Iraq.

22 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 23

2008

SPEAKERS A number of Council events throughout the year featured prominent elected and appointed officials.

A. President of Boston Federal Reserve Bank Addresses Financial Services Committee The Council’s Financial Services Committee held its first meeting of the New Year on February 4, 2008 with Eric Rosengren, the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, as its guest speaker. Mr. Rosengren discussed the current housing and financial market conditions, both nationally and in New England, with more than 70 Council members and guests.

B. Tony Blankley and Al Hunt Speak to Board Members of the Council’s Board of Directors were privileged to hear from two prominent political commentators at their Washington D.C. dinner and board meeting last year. Tony Blankley, best known for his role as press secretary to then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, addressed the board members after dinner at the National Press Club on March 11th. Al Hunt, former Wall Street Journal polit- ical reporter and current Executive Washington Editor for Bloomberg, spoke to board members after their quarterly meeting on March 12th. Blankley and Hunt, who are frequent panelists on the national political talk show circuit, shared their inside-the-beltway insights on the upcoming presidential election.

C. Tierney Speaks to Higher Education Committee Congressman Tierney joined the Council’s Higher Education Committee at its September 4, 2008 meeting to discuss the results of the Council’s survey on student borrowing. Michael Thomas, NEBHE President and CEO, presented the survey results which indicated that there were no widespread concerns over the availability or adequacy of federal loans for students and parents for the fall of 2008. There were instances where enrollment was impeded due to inadequate loan availability, but these appeared to be the exception. However, there was ongoing uncertainty and concern about the availability of federal and private loan funds in the next academic year, the fall of 2009.

D. North Carolina Senator Richard Burr Meets Council Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) spoke to Council members on October 17 of 2008 at the Hampshire House in Boston. Senator Burr served as the Ranking Member on a key subcommittee that oversees federal regulation of pension plans and retirement savings. Guests enjoyed a far-reaching discussion ranging from pre- election analysis to in-depth discussion of education reform expected in the 111th Congress.

23 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/7/09 11:39 AM Page 24

E. Top Kennedy Advisor Discusses Healthcare Reform On October 21, 2008 incoming Chairman of the Council’s Board Charlie Baker hosted a Washington, D.C. meeting to discuss the healthcare reform legislation expected for 2009. More than 30 Council members joined the discussion with Senator Kennedy’s senior advisor, John McDonough. Mr. McDonough was tapped by Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee, to begin working on healthcare reform legislation last spring.

F. Energy Resources Department Head Addresses Energy and Environment Committee Philip Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources met with Council members in October of last year at WilmerHale in Boston. The meeting focused on climate change and alternative energy issues. Commissioner Giudice described the Commonwealth’s progress in implementing the Green Communities Act, provided an update on RGGI, and discussed federal Climate Change legislation.

G. Election Analysis with Mark Shields On November 12, 2008 nationally known columnist and political commentator Mark Shields provided Council members with a post-election analysis at the Hampshire House in Boston. His comments addressed both the Presidential primaries and general election, along with U.S. House and Senate races. He also discussed the incoming Administration, its agenda and the ever-present tension between the Executive and Legislative branches. The event was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Bank of America.

2008 ANNUAL DINNER More than 1400 guests attended the Council’s Annual Dinner on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Seaport Hotel/World Trade Center in Boston. The leaders of two prominent New England institutions, along with one of its most effective and respected elected officials were honored at the event for their commitment and contributions in their fields of work and leadership and impact on the region’s quality of life and economy. Boston College Chancellor Reverend J. Donald Monan, Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal and CVS Caremark Corporation Chairman Thomas Ryan were each presented the “New Englander of the Year” Award from a member of the Council’s Board of Directors.

24 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/2/09 1:42 PM Page 25

2008

CAPITOL HILL ACTIVITIES

A. Annual Washington, D.C. Meeting More than 250 Council members participated in the Council’s annual Washington, D.C. meeting held March 11-13, 2008. During the event, the Council hosted speakers Tony Blankley, former Press Secretary to House Speaker Newt Gingrich and panelist on The McLaughlin Group and CNN’s Crossfire, and Al Hunt, Execu- tive Washington Editor for . Council members enjoyed a White House tour as well as a White House briefing by Deputy Chief of Staff Joel Kaplan, Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy Jess Sharp, and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, Tiffany M. Moore. As in past years, the Capitol Hill Reception was a tremendous success as hundreds of Council members met with many members of the New England Congressional delegation and their staffers in the historic Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building. The following morning, Council members concluded the trip with a Congressional breakfast in the Rayburn House Office Building with a number of members of Congress, including Senator (D-MA) and then Vice- Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Congressman John Larson (D-CT).

B. Congressional Briefing on Climate Change White Paper In the midst of the Senate debate on comprehensive cap-and-trade climate change legislation the Council hosted a briefing for New England’s Congressional delega- tion staff in the Russell Senate Office Building. At the conclusion of the event, Council staff and members visited every office in the New England Congressional delegation to provide an individual briefing and copy of the report.

Rick Farias of Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI and Senator Jack Reed.

25 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 26

ANNUAL DINNER–

26 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 27

2008 – OCTOBER 7, 2008

27 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 28

IV. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

The Council produced the following newsletters, reports and other publications throughout 2008.

WASHINGTON REPORTS Each week that Congress was in session, the Council produced “Weekly Wash- ington Reports” providing members with timely updates, summaries, and analyses of Congressional activities. E-mailed to members at the close of each week that Congress was in session, the reports are later added to the Council website.

E-Newsletter The Council published 12 monthly e-newsletters informing members of Congressional action, Council events and staff activities.

Special Report – NEC Transportation Conference The Council published a summary of its April 2008 two day conference at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire.

Congressmen Peter Welch of Vermont and Barney Frank of Massachusetts.

28 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 29

2008 V. PUBLISHED ARTICLES VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A number of articles concerning important issues were drafted by Council members and appeared on the op-ed pages of the following publications:

January 21, 2008: Banker and Tradesman, Some Congressional Priorities for Region Achieved, Some Remain

February 16, 2008: The Providence Journal, Fuel Aid is an Economic Necessity for Region

April 18, 2008: Mass High Tech, Foreign Worker Visa Program in Need of Revamp

April 18, 2008: Boston Business Journal, Lift Cap on Foreign Workers

April 20, 2008: The Hartford Courant, A Regional Effort Required to Meet Transportation Challenges

April 23, 2008: The Cape Cod Times, The New England Economy Needs An Increase in the Number of Foreign Worker Visas

April 25, 2008: New Hampshire Business Review, Ever-Increasing Need for Low-Income Heating Assistance

May 5, 2008: Providence Business News, Amtrak is Critical to the Region’s Transportation Future

June 5, 2008: New Hampshire Business Review, We Must Hike Caps on Foreign Worker Visas

June 14, 2008: Boston Herald, Older Workers Seeing Renewed Importance

June 20, 2008: New Hampshire Business Review, Amtrak: An Economic Locomotive

August 15, 2008: New Hampshire Business Review, New England Congressional Delegation Comes Together to Provide Needed Relief to Housing Market

August 21, 2008: Mass High Tech, Region Depends on Student Readiness in Math, Science

October 31, 2008: Boston Business Journal, R & D Tax Credit Good Business

November 7, 2008: New Hampshire Business Review, Passage of R&D Tax Credit a Major Victory for New England

29 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 30

VI. NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS

The following members joined the Council in 2008:

Bowditch & Dewey LLP New England Society

Cambridge Consultants Northeast Health System

Citigroup Inc. NxStage Medical, Inc.

Daniel Webster College Performance Indicator, LLC

Dassault Systems Prism Public Affairs

DOTWELL Repsol Energy, N.A.

Eastpoint Strategies Rutland Regional Planning Commission FairPoint Communications Salem State College Fisher College Seven Hills Foundation GT Solar, Inc. Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green HLR Service Corporation Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. Joslin Diabetes Center Suffolk Construction Keith Properties Sun Life Financial, Inc. Lesley University Time Warner Cable McGlynn & McGlynn Two Rivers – Ottauquechee Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP Regional Commission

Mount Washington Resort Uniprise

National Braille Press Vacovec, Mayotte & Singer LLP

New England Association of Wheelock College Regional Councils Willwork, Inc. New England College of Optometry

30 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 31

2008 VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At its December 8, 2008 meeting the Council’s Board of Directors elected Charles Baker, President and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, as its Chairman and John Hailer, President and CEO of Natixis Global Associates as Vice Chairman. Baker served as the Board’s Vice Chair for the past two years, and replaces former New Hampshire Attorney General Thomas Rath, the founder of Rath, Young and Pignatelli and Principal of The Rath Group, whose term as Chair had expired. The following individuals are members of the Council’s Board of Directors:

CHAIR Elizabeth C. Barton Charles Baker Partner President and CEO Day Pitney LLP Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc. Hartford, CT Wellesley, MA David T. Blackburn VICE CHAIR Managing Director John Hailer MARSH President and CEO Boston, MA Natixis Global Associates Boston, MA Peter T. Bowman Vice President MA/RI TREASURER External Affairs Thomas Flannery Verizon Partner Boston, MA Ernst & Young Boston, MA Bob Brennan President and CEO SECRETARY James T. Brett Iron Mountain President and CEO Boston, MA The New England Council Boston, MA Stephen Bryant President Rosalin Acosta Bay State Gas Company Executive VP & Managing Director Westborough, MA of Wealth Management & Private Banking Wayne A. Budd Sovereign Bank Counsel Boston, MA Goodwin Procter Boston, MA Richard Ashooh Vice President, Legislative Affairs Greg Butler BAE Systems Senior Vice President and Nashua, NH General Counsel Northeast Utilities Dr. Joseph Aoun Hartford, CT President Northeastern University Boston, MA

31 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 32

Robert Culver David Goggin President and CEO Director of State Government Affairs MassDevelopment Amgen Inc. Boston, MA Cambridge, MA

Jay Curley Christopher E. Goode Senior Vice President Chief Govern- Vice President, Global Corporate ment and Public Affairs Officer Affairs & Public Policy Blue Cross Blue Shield EMC Corporation of Massachusetts Hopkinton, MA Boston, MA James Grasso Anthony F. Dolphin President & CEO Chairman & CEO Grasso Associates, LLC SpringBoard Technology Corp. Needham, MA Springfield, MA Dr. George J. Hagerty Donald Dowd President Donald Dowd & Associates Franklin Pierce University W. Springfield, MA Rindge, NH

Jack Driscoll Brent Henry Partner Vice President & General Counsel Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP Partners Health Care System Boston, MA Boston, MA

Richard Farias Brian Hodgett Executive Vice President Director, Government & Community Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Relations Providence, RI Procter & Gamble Boston, MA Joseph Fay General Counsel Thomas F. Holt, Jr. Yankee Atomic Electric Company Partner Wiscasset, ME K&L Gates Boston, MA Thomas Flaherty Vice President Chester E. Homer Industrial Marketing Owner Sprague Energy Shawnee Peak Ski Area Portsmouth, NH Bridgton, Maine

William J. Geary James W. Hunt Executive Vice President and President & CEO General Counsel Massachusetts League of Community Clean Harbors Environmental Services Health Centers Norwell, MA Boston, MA

32 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 33

2008

Joanne Y. Jaxtimer John Maher Senior Vice President Senior Division Director, State and Director of Public Affairs/ Federal Relations New England Comcast Cable Communications The Bank of New York Mellon Norwell, MA Boston, MA James Mahoney Richard Jenkinson Senior Vice President Director of Government Relations Bank of America & Public Affairs Boston, MA Thermo Fisher Scientific International Portsmouth, NH David J. Manning Executive Vice President Dennis Kearney U.S. External Affairs Partner National Grid Kearney, Donovan & McGee Brooklyn, NY Boston, MA Paul Mattera Thomas Kershaw Senior Vice President and Chief Owner & President Public Affairs Officer Hampshire House The Liberty Mutual Group Boston, MA Boston, MA

Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. James McCaffrey CEO & Executive Director New England Market Leader Massport Mercer Human Resource Consulting East Boston, MA Boston, MA

William Leahy Frank McDougall Vice President of Regional Affairs Vice President Government Relations Atlantic Region Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center AT&T – New England Lebanon, NH Boston, MA David Nassef Annmarie Levins Vice President Associate General Counsel Office of the Executive Chairman US-Legal-WSG Americas Pitney Bowes Microsoft Corporation Stamford, CT Cambridge, MA Roy J. Nirschel Jacqueline W. Liebergott President President Roger Williams University Emerson College Bristol, RI Boston, MA Joseph R. Nolan, Jr. Ronald K. Machtley Senior Vice President, President Customer & Corporate Relations Bryant University NSTAR Smithfield, RI Boston, MA

33 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 34

Angela O’Connor Ted Scontras President Executive Vice President New England Power Generators TDBanknorth, N.A. Association Portland, ME Boston, MA Robert Sheridan Matthew Power President & CEO President of Risk Specialist Companies Savings Bank Life Insurance Lexington Insurance Woburn, MA Boston, MA Gregory Smith Thomas D. Rath Senior Partner Managing Partner McLane, Graf, Raulerson, & Middleton Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.A. Concord, NH Concord, NH Laurel Sweeney Robert J. Reilly Senior Director Reimbursement & Managing Director Legislative Affairs Barclays Wealth Philips Healthcare Boston, MA Andover, MA

Thomas F. Reilly H. Lawrence Tafe, III Government Affairs Of Counsel Greenberg Traurig Day Pitney LLP Boston, MA Boston, MA

Michael Reopel Charles Tetro Principal President and CEO Deloitte Consulting LLP Training Development Corporation Boston, MA Bucksport, ME

Ken Robinson Daniel Weekley Senior Vice President Managing Director Northeast Director of Government Affairs Government Affairs Citizens Bank Dominion Resources Providence, RI Waterford, CT

Thomas Samoluk Jack M. Wilson Senior Counsel Government Relations President John Hancock University of Massachusetts Boston, MA Boston, MA

34 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 35

2008 VIII. NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY

The members of Congress representing New England appear below.

111TH CONGRESS The Honorable Olympia Snowe 154 Russell Senate Office Building CONNECTICUT Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5344 The Honorable Christopher Dodd 448 Russell Senate Office Building The Honorable Chellie Pingree Washington, DC 20510 ME 1st District 202-224-2823 1037 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Joseph Lieberman 202-225-6116 706 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Michael Michaud 202-224-4041 ME 2nd District 1724 Longworth House Office Building The Honorable John Larson Washington, DC 20515 CT 1st District 202-225-6306 1005 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 MASSACHUSETTS 202-225-2265 The Honorable Edward Kennedy The Honorable Joe Courtney 317 Russell Senate Office Building CT 2nd District Washington, DC 20510 215 Canon House Office Building 202-224-4543 Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2076 The Honorable John Kerry 218 Russell Senate Office Building The Honorable Rose DeLauro Washington, DC 20510 CT 3rd District 202-224-2742 2262 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable John Olver 202-225-3661 MA 1st District 1111 Longworth House Office Building The Honorable James Himes Washington, DC 20515 CT 4th District 202-225-5335 214 Canon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Richard Neal 202-225-5541 MA 2nd District 2208 Rayburn House Office Building The Honorable Christopher Murphy Washington, DC 20515 CT 5th District 202-225-5601 501 Canon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable James McGovern 202-225-4476 MA 3rd District 438 Canon House Office Building MAINE Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6101 The Honorable Susan Collins 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building The Honorable Barney Frank Washington, DC 20510 MA 4th District 202-224-2523 2252 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5931

35 71177_CAL_NECOUNCIL _TXT:Layout 1 4/1/09 6:49 AM Page 36

The Honorable Niki Tsongas The Honorable Paul Hodes MA 5th District NH 2nd District 1607 Longworth House Office Building 506 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 202-225-3411 202-225-5206

The Honorable John Tierney RHODE ISLAND MA 6th District 2238 Rayburn House Office Building The Honorable Jack Reed Washington, DC 20515 728 Hart Senate Office Building 202-225-8020 Washington, DC 20510 202-224-4642 The Honorable Edward Markey MA 7th District The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse 2108 Rayburn House Office Building 502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 202-225-2836 202-224-2921

The Honorable Michael Capuano The Honorable Patrick Kennedy MA 8th District RI 1st District 1414 Longworth House Office Building 407 Canon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5111 202-225-4911

The Honorable Stephen Lynch The Honorable James Langevin MA 9th District RI 2nd District 221 Cannon House Office Building 109 Canon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 202-225-8273 202-225-2735

The Honorable William Delahunt VERMONT MA 10th District 2454 Rayburn House Office Building The Honorable Patrick Leahy Washington, DC 20515 433 Russell Senate Office Building 202-225-3111 Washington, DC 20510 202-224-4242 NEW HAMPSHIRE The Honorable Bernard Sanders The Honorable Judd Gregg 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building 393 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5141 202-224-3324 The Honorable Peter Welch The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen VT at Large G55 Dirksen Senate Office Building 1404 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 202-224-2841 202-225-4115

The Honorable Carol Shea-Porter NH 1st District 1330 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5456

36