Spring 2009

Spring 2009

Making an impact

every time our magazine comes out, I wonder what kind of impact it will have. I know I’m interested in the issues we’re covering, but will others find them compelling? We received a positive answer to that question recently with the release of Gov. Deval Patrick’s fiscal 2010 budget proposal. It contains two provisions that(...)

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Statistically significant

Statistically significant

Illustrations by Travis Foster bay state farms get fruitful and multiply Are “buy local” campaigns helping to preserve the state’s small farming sector? New data from the US Department of Agriculture show that the number of working farms went up from 6,075 to 7,691 from 2002 to 2007 — even though the amount of land(...)

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Back in the sunshine

during his eight years in office, President Bush alienated few groups more than scientists, who complained that he ignored them and impeded their work. So when President Barack Obama took office in January, researchers had high hopes for big changes, perhaps impossibly high hopes. But so far, they like what they see. “It is just(...)

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Beacon Hill pols share their bounty

Beacon Hill pols share their bounty

Massachusetts legislators are big givers with other people’s money. Campaign finance reports for 2008 indicate lawmakers took about $1 million of the $9.8 million they raised from supporters and donated it to charities, other politicians, or a political party. The records show 179 lawmakers gave just over $650,000 to charitable causes. Senate President Therese Murray(...)

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