Worcester Business Journal

32 Worcester Business Journal • June 8, 2015 www.wbjournal.com resignation in the middle of a term. Then, "within 10 seconds," she decided to run simply because she thought she could get more done from inside the government. Chamber leader: She knows business Bonnie Biocchi, president of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, said Spilka's background as a businesswoman — she was a chamber member when she had her own private practice — has made her a valuable ally in government. "She understands the needs of busi- ness," she said. Biocchi said Spilka's leadership in overhauling the state's economic devel- opment infrastructure in 2010 and her support for regional development orga- nizations have been valuable to local businesses. And she said Spilka's back- ground as a mediator also seems to make a difference in getting things done effectively. "It's not 'my way or the highway,'" Biocchi said. "She sort of knows how to work out the best (solutions) to prob- lems." In the current budget process, the Senate version that Spilka helped pass funds a number of programs that the spending plan proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker doesn't. It would put more money into regional tourism councils, training and internships for the unemployed, and promotion of the life sciences, technol- ogy and manufacturing, as well as early childhood and college education. Those policy priorities may seem all over the map, but Spilka said they all fall under the slogan she's adopted for the budgeting process: "Lifting all families." That includes boosting the technology sectors that provide good jobs and help grow the state economy, as well as sup- porting people facing hardships. The 'tech senator' Tom Hopcroft, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council, said Spilka has probably done more than anyone else in the state Senate to bring his industry and government together. "She's very much sort of our tech sen- ator," he said. Hopcroft said that, as important as Spilka's support for initiatives focused on the tech industry is to the companies his group represents, her focus on issues of equality is also key. The technology industry may seem like it's doing fine, Hopcroft said, with lots of fancy build- ings and startup founders driving nice cars, but the state has the potential to make it far stronger. Currently, the industry can only call on the talents of a portion of the state's residents, because of economic, educational and technical barriers facing many groups, including young people from poor families, people from communities outside Interstate 495, minorities and women. "We need everyone who has an inter- est and a competence and a talent, and a lot of people have that," Hopcroft said. Right now, Spilka is continuing her work with the conference committee that tries to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. Meanwhile, she said, Spilka hopes businesses — within or outside the technology sector — will continue to get engaged in the political process. "It is so important that we hear their voice, whatever business they're involved in," she said. "It's also important that they understand the public policy-mak- ing process." n Looking for a Successful Business Exit Strategy? — ROCG Can Help! — ROCG specializes in helping small to medium-sized, privately-owned and family businesses with exit/transition planning, value building and change or succession planning. A recognized thought leader, we've developed a unique understanding of the dynamics and psychology of owner-managed companies and what it takes to drive the results they need. We help dozens of business owners each year meet their personal and financial objectives. For more information, call Terry Shepherd at (617) 412-4640 or email him at terence.shepherd@rocg.com ROCG BOSTON OFFICE 1671 Worcester Rd, Suite 303 Framingham, MA T: 617.412.4640 Terence.Shepherd@rocg.com https://americas.rocg.com business exit & transition specialists Tech advocate Spilka holds unique vantage point in Senate >> Continued from Page 11 Wine enthusiasts aim to bring their own to dinner S ome wine enthusiasts hope Beacon Hill will endorse a bill that would allow residents to bring their own wines into consenting and licensed Massachusetts restaurants. David Spencer, founder and chairman of a corporation focused on recycling metals and plastics, told lawmakers last week he's also a "wine lover." "I would love to drink my wines at Massachusetts restaurants, hotels and private clubs," he said. But current law prevents that, Spencer added. He's back- ing a bill to change that, bringing the state in line with what New York, Vermont and New Hampshire allow. Current state law does allow residents to bring their own beer or wine into unli- censed restaurants. "Frankly, it is hard to understand why our current Massachusetts law prevents wines purchased in a licensed retail store from being consumed at a licensed res- taurant, while at the same time permit- ting such wines to be consumed at non- licensed restaurants," Spencer, a Bedford resident and head of the wTe Corp., told members of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The bill allows a restaurant, club or hotel to charge a "reasonable corkage fee per bottle of wine" consumed. The state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission would be charged with determining the fee. "The point is the restaurant should receive some overhead markup to offset what the loss would be compared to sell- ing the wine," said Spencer. n ‑ State House News Service

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