Fall 2010

Jobs held hostage by housing

Trends suggest the state’s high housing costs could drag down job growth once again

By Ben Forman and Sam Greeley Cost of Living and Consumer Affairs, Employment, Growth and Development, Housing 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

Like new england Patriots victories, high housing costs became matter of fact in Massachusetts over the last decade. As we rebuild from the Great Recession and the housing bubble that precipitated it, now is a good time to revisit whether the high cost of living is something the state can continue to take for granted.(...)

Economy/ Education/ Opinion

Overcoming tough times

We need to get serious about supporting working families in Massachusetts

By Robert J. S. Ross and Deborah Connolly Youngblood Cost of Living and Consumer Affairs, Employment, Growth and Development, Higher Education and Adult Learning 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

Economic crises are social accelerators—things that were abstractly understood as trends are suddenly new and crushing realities. Twenty-five years ago, while the “Massachusetts Miracle” of growth charmed a generation of optimists, some observers of “deindustrialization” warned us about a looming vision of an hourglass economy of unequal incomes and unremitting pressures on single-parent families and(...)

Education

Online teaching

The Internet is a useful teaching tool, but only that

By Alison Lobron Higher Education and Adult Learning 0 Comments Oct 19, 2010

“Although scads of red are always stomach-dropping, I’m really going to learn a lot from this interaction.” I’ve taught writing, off and on, for more than 10 years, and received plenty of feedback from students. The note I just quoted, though, was a little unusual. Its author is the first person I’ve “taught” without ever(...)

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(...)