Thought of the Day - 01/15/2010

There is news in the Boston Globe today that the state’s Health Connector is taking over administering health insurance plans for about 17,000 small businesses. These businesses typically employ fewer than 5 people, and they formerly looked to a private agency, the Small Business Service Bureau, to help them administer health care costs.

It’s reported that the move could save these private employers about $300 a year in health care costs for each employee. And in this economy, those are welcome savings.

But the fact is that there are many costs that are straining small businesses these days, and our state simply isn’t doing enough to make life easier for them. And that’s unfortunate, because small businesses form the backbone of our economy.

Massachusetts needs a pro-business mentality if we hope to keep people from leaving this state, much less if we hope to attract economic activity. The number one problem facing Massachusetts residents these days is a lack of quality jobs, and our state needs to be taking the lead in creating opportunities for job growth here. And that’s true whether you’re talking about a Fortune 500 company or a budding entrepreneur starting their own business.

What do you think? What do you think our state should be doing to grow jobs? Please post a comment below and join the discussion.