The Legislature has helped the solar industry. Now is the time for other sectors of the economy to have their moment.

That’s essentially what ­Senate President Stanley Rosenberg told members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, ­explaining that he wants to ­explore ways to help specific high-tech clusters to ensure the state’s economy remains ­competitive.

In particular, Rosenberg singled out big data, photonics, and cybersecurity as the next sectors he hopes to assist, alongside a push from the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership to foster the digital health industry. He plans to roll out programs for state-funded internships in all four areas in the coming months.

“We’re also going to try to pull some people together . . . to figure out what the strategy should be around keeping venture capital in Massachusetts for these sectors rather than [it going] to Silicon Valley,’’ Rosenberg told reporters after his speech.

Rosenberg said he’s open to other ideas to assist the high-tech sectors. Such ideas could emerge in the Senate’s upcoming budget proposal, or in its version of an economic development bill that Governor Charlie Baker is pursuing.

During his remarks, Rosenberg praised the chamber for supporting two bills: one that would prevent transgender discrimination in public places, and another that is aimed at helping ensure equal pay for men and women. The Senate expects to take up the transgender bill later this spring, and it has already approved the equal pay bill.

“We need these talented people in our workforce,’’ Rosenberg said of the equal pay bill. “They should be treated equally and fairly to their male counterparts.’’

And he said the Legislature shouldn’t wait for the minimum wage to jump to $11 an hour next January, as scheduled, before debating how to raise it even further, possibly to $15 an hour eventually.

“We can celebrate our robust economy and we should be excited about that,’’ Rosenberg said. “But we have to find ways of sharing that opportunity and prosperity with all of the workers.’’

Some of Rosenberg’s goals, such as expanding educational opportunities and buttressing the public transit system, will cost more money. Among the sources he is eyeing: a proposed surcharge on income taxes for people who earn more than $1 million that could be approved in 2018. He said that money would be earmarked for education and transportation purposes through an amendment to the state constitution.

Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto.