High-tech breakdown

Speedy replies are rare at government websites in Massachusetts

By Colman M. Herman Municipal Government, State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

INTRO TEXT the websites of federal, state, and municipal agencies and officials can serve as pipelines to the public, allowing citizens and government officials to interact in a convenient, cost-effective manner. But here in Massachusetts, these pipelines often flow in one direction, with citizen email inquiries either ignored or answered in haphazard fashion by government(...)

Uncategorized

End of an exodus

By Robert David Sullivan Demographics, Immigration 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

Only a couple of years ago, many of us fretted about the Bay State’s declining population. (See “A Fading Dream?”, Civic Sense, CW, Fall ’06.) We didn’t realize that something was coming that would reverse the tide: a rotten economy. According to Census Bureau estimates, Massachusetts grew by just over 30,000 people from July 2007(...)

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After the flood

By Alison Lobron Demographics, Urban Affairs 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

take one flooded city. Add thousands of devastated inhabitants, a bungled federal response, and an absence of civic leadership. It doesn’t sound like a recipe for success, yet nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans seems to be doing one thing that remains a perennial challenge in Massachusetts: getting young adults to feel a(...)

Economy/ Politics

Patrick vs. Cahill

By Robert David Sullivan State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

UPDATE: State Treasurer Tim Cahill is running for governor as an independent, not as a challenger to incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick in the Democratic primary. Still, this CW map from 2009 gives some idea of the geographic contours of this fall’s general election if Cahill manages to sneak past GOP nominee Charlie Baker to become(...)

Education/ Politics/ Opinion

The 85 percent solution

By Jay Ash Elementary and Secondary Education, Municipal Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

at a recent MassINC board meeting, we were discussing the achievement gap between students from wealthy versus poor school districts and how best to shrink it. I found myself saying things I’ve been thinking about for years: Is expanded funding for the traditional school day the best way to gain better outcomes for students? Is(...)

Tax Credits/ Economy

Making an impact

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

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(...)

Health Care/ Politics/ Opinion

One size doesn’t fit all

By John Coughlin State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

the national conference of State Legislatures reported in January that 40 states must address shortfalls in their 2009 budgets, and 34 states also face shortfalls in their 2010 budgets. In both cases, the list includes Massachusetts. State officials here have already announced many cuts in services, including over $500 million in reductions to municipal aid.(...)

Politics/ Transportation/ Opinion

Massport: Government that works

By John Quelch State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

fifty years ago, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts launched a bold experiment in bringing business principles to government when it entrusted its most important transportation facilities to a new agency, the Massachusetts Port Authority. Created by the Legislature in 1956 in response to concern among business, civic, and labor leaders that the Commonwealth’s deteriorating air and(...)

Uncategorized

Correspondence

By CommonWealth Staff 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

Candidates need a level playing field I’m a three-term selectman in Falmouth and a recent independent candidate for the Third Barnstable District seat in the House of Representatives, held by Democrat Matt Patrick. Your editorial and article on “Ending the One-Party State” (CW, Winter ’09) were dead on. The problem is that change needs to(...)

Tax Credits/ Economy/ Politics

On the set

By Alison Lobron State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

you may not know Lynda Obst’s face or name, but if you pay taxes in Massachusetts you are an investor in the producer’s latest movie, with the working title This Side of the Truth. Obst decided to film the comedy starring Jennifer Garner and Ricky Gervais in Lowell last spring largely because of a 2007(...)


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Spring 2009

Speedy replies are rare at government websites in Massachusetts

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