The passing of the Massachusetts Senate presidency today from Harriett Chandler to Karen Spilka represents a transition from one woman who has gracefully led the chamber through a period of turbulence to another who offers significant hope for an inclusive approach to the employer community.

Senator Chandler, a Worcester Democrat, assumed the presidency in December after former President Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst resigned amid a scandal. She steered the Senate through the ensuing months while developing consensus on important issues such as the “grand bargain” that headed off a dangerous ballot question on paid leave.

Senator Chandler deserves tremendous credit for conducting her work with the decorum and decency so often missing in American politics these days. She and Senator Spilka jointly announced the transition in April after the Ashland Democrat secured the support needed to guarantee her election as president.

Senator Spilka, who has chaired the Senate Ways and Means Committee for more than three years, has already reached out to Associated Industries of Massachusetts on key issues ranging from health-care reform to the sensible use of non-complete agreements. We look forward to additional issue conversations as the Legislature moves toward the end of its two-year formal session next Tuesday.

AIM stands ready to work with the new Senate president, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Governor Charlie Baker to prioritize policy matters that can improve the economic climate of the Commonwealth and, thereby, the lives of the residents of our state.