Build to suit

By Ben Forman and John Schneider Growth and Development 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

early last year, MassINC released Reconnecting Massachusetts Gateway Cities, a report on how the state’s historic mill communities have been struggling to make the shift to the New Economy. It acknowledged the challenges holding these communities back — challenges that we all recognize — but more importantly, it revealed enormous opportunities, some of them hiding(...)

Politics

Override forces turn to the pros in the art of winning elections

By Shane O'Neil 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

INTRO TEXT Voter apathy may have hit a new low in Holliston in May. Even with a Proposition 2 1/2 override of $992,000 on the ballot, only 29 percent of the town’s 9,602 registered voters bothered to turn out. The proposal, meant to forestall cuts in the public school system, lost by 415 votes. “We(...)

Education/ Politics

Patrick reveals a big appetite for education reform

By Gabrielle Gurley Elementary and Secondary Education, State Government 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

INTRO TEXT The unveiling of the Readiness Project should dispel any doubt that Gov. Deval Patrick sees himself as the master builder of the next epoch of education reform. “Our goal is to reinvent and re-engineer an entire system and all of its components,” said Patrick during his address at the John F. Kennedy Presidential(...)

Criminal Justice/ Politics

Child care centers get Web scrutiny

By Beth Riley State Government 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

INTRO TEXT Massachusetts is taking steps toward giving parents online access to information about licensing and state inspections of child care centers. Matt Veno, a spokesman for the state Department of Early Education and Care, says that by the end of July parents should be able to check the license status of a center, obtain(...)

Politics

Liberal business group aims for impact on public policy

By Michael Jonas 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

CAN A SEMI-ANNUAL gathering of liberal-leaning business bigwigs provide a fresh jolt of private-sector energy into civic doings and public policy in Massachusetts? That’s the thinking behind a year-old organization that is looking to connect CEOs and other top corporate officials with initiatives that will let them play a role in shaping policy on such matters(...)

Economy/ Transportation

Pump it up

By Gabrielle Gurley Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

For a picture-perfect view of the Boston skyline on a bright, cloudless day, looking from the Longfellow Bridge to the other side of the Charles River is as good as it gets. For scenery of a different sort, amble down the stairway near Storrow Drive and walk underneath the span that links Beacon Hill to(...)

Tax Credits/ Economy/ Politics

Preserving power

By Bruce Mohl Ethics and Open Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Secretary of State William Galvin is running a $50 million-a-year state tax credit program like a personal fiefdom. He decides which developers receive historic rehabilitation tax credits from the state and how much they get, using a selection process that creates uncertainty for developers and maximizes his political clout. What’s most startling is that Galvin,(...)

Economy

Moving the goal posts

By Bruce Mohl Growth and Development 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Sudbury officials say this small stretch of sidewalk along Dakin Street qualified under the Community Preservation Act for partial state funding because the pathway is a recreational facility for walkers, joggers, bikers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers. THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION Act arose from the noble desire to give municipalities more tools to fight urban sprawl and to(...)

Politics

Money Man

By Shawn Zeller 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Asked what role US Rep. John Olver plays in the 10-member Massachusetts congressional delegation, Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville puts it very simply: “Money.” Ask Olver about his role and the answer is a little less succinct. OK, make that a lot less succinct. In fact, prepare for a long lecture about how the congressional(...)

Economy

Statistically Significant

By Robert David Sullivan Housing, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Illustrations by Travis Foster FORECLOSURE CRISIS FLOODS DOUBLE-DECKERS The current foreclosure wave in Massachusetts has knocked down a disproportionate number of multifamily homes, at least compared with the housing market crash of the early 1990s. That’s one finding in Subprime Facts: What (We Think) We Know About the Subprime Crisis and What We Don’t, a(...)


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