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(...)

Education/ Politics

School mergers in Maine hit snags

By Matthew Stone Elementary and Secondary Education, State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

massachusetts officials looking to consolidate some of the state’s school districts need only look north to Maine to see how tough that job will be. Maine Gov. John Baldacci first floated his district consolidation proposal in January 2007, saying the state’s cost of school administration shouldn’t continue to grow as the student population shrinks. So(...)

Economy/ Education

IBM offers transition to teaching careers

By Alison Lobron Cost of Living and Consumer Affairs, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education and Adult Learning 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

When Elizabeth Cowles of Bedford graduated from college in 1987, she had two job offers: one to work for IBM and one to teach high school physics. She chose IBM because the pay was better, but always imagined she’d switch to teaching at some point — until life got in the way. “When you end(...)

Politics

Email exchanges reveal Wilkerson’s tenacity

By Colman M. Herman Ethics and Open Government, State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

the federal affidavits filed in conjunction with the bribery investigation of former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson reveal how relentless she could be in pursuing policies and projects of interest to her alleged benefactors. Nowhere is that more evident than in her dealings over the years with Gov. Deval Patrick and his staff, according to emails(...)

Politics

Beacon Hill pols share their bounty

By Christina Prignano State Government 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

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(...)

Spring 2009