Fall 2010

Police scramble on Quinn pay

By Gabrielle Gurley Municipal Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

Police unions and individual officers are trying hard to save what’s left of the 40-year-old Quinn Bill with mixed success. Budget woes forced lawmakers to cut what was once a $50 million state contribution to $10 million in fiscal 2010 and $5 million this year. The law, more formally called the Police Career Incentive Pay(...)

Economy/ Politics

On Beacon Hill, help is easy to find

By Jack Sullivan Employment, State Government 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

Massachusetts lawmakers have pared back the size of the legislative staff in the midst of the current recession but the state still ranks as one of the most aide-heavy legislatures in the country. Last year, Bay State lawmakers had 903 year-round staffers to assist them in their day-to-day affairs, according to the most recent data(...)

Economy

Feds taking aim at real estate fees; BRA seeks guidance

By Bruce Mohl Housing 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

A novel real estate fee long collected by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and more recently by some private developers, is coming under fire from the federal government. The Federal Housing Finance Agency is urging the lenders it oversees to stop investing in mortgages with private transfer fee covenants. The BRA calls its fee a resale(...)

Economy

Eating up deficits

By Jack Sullivan Demographics, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 27, 2010

with depleted coffers forcing belt-tightening at all levels of government, it would make sense that officials, especially at the local level, would grab onto any chance to pick up a few more pennies to avoid service cuts. But like their Beacon Hill counterparts, many municipal officials are leery of any additional tax, particularly if it(...)