Mayor Marty Walsh found a high-
powered political friend in his bid to bring Amazon’s
coveted “
HQ2”
to the city.
Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is endorsing the idea that Boston should be the new northeast base for the online giant, along with its 50,000 jobs.
Rosenberg, who voiced his approval while on my Herald Radio “Morning Meeting” show yesterday, says his idea won’t exclude the rest of the state from benefitting.
He’s hoping Amazon has “satellite offices” from the Berkshires to the South Coast.
The bidding for Amazon’s pot of revenue could be fierce and Walsh should take a closer look at Rosenberg’s suggestion before finalizing his pitch.
Newton Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Setti Warren announced recently that he wants the online retailer to choose Worcester. Congressman Joe Kennedy III told us on Herald Radio that the Greater Boston area has a much stronger economy than places like Attleboro, which could use a boost to their economic engine.
A massive business like Amazon should have a Boston zip code and a presence in a city that’s thriving with innovative businesses and home to the best hospitals and universities in the world.
Imagine the amount of Boston area college graduates who would stay and skip the faster paced life of New York in order to work for a company like Amazon?
But Rosenberg has a point. Boston does need to share the wealth. Plus, by setting up offices in surrounding towns Amazon is able to provide more affordable housing across the state. In the Hub it seems as if you need $1 million for a one-bedroom apartment.
Rosenberg sees huge potential in improving our dysfunctional transportation system if our state wins the bid. With the added tax revenue, Massachusetts could be aleader in tech jobs and state-of-the art transportation.
No word yet from Walsh if he would consider Rosenberg’s plan. He shouldn’t wait too long.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of the “Morning Meeting” show on Boston Herald Radio.
