Flying without a PILOT

Don't call UMass Lowell's groundbreaking pact with the city a PILOT

By Jack Sullivan Colleges/Universities, Higher education, Municipal Government, State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues, Town/Gown, UMass Lowell 0 Comments Oct 10, 2017

Photo by Frank Curran Lowell and UMass Lowell signed a master agreement in August, committing the university to providing nearly $8 million in cash and in-kind contributions for the community over the next 20 years. The agreement includes new funds for repair and upkeep of the city-owned minor league baseball field and a commitment to(...)

The Download

The Codcast: Boston and Lawrence narrow mayoral fields

By CommonWealth Staff Municipal Government 0 Comments Sep 28, 2017

When it comes to the November match-ups for mayor in Boston and Lawrence, it looks like very different tales of two cities, one where a highly competitive race is now on tap, and one where that seems unlikely. That’s the assessment from this week’s Codcast with Yawu Miller, senior editor of the Bay State Banner,(...)

Opinion

Nonprofits deserve a lot more scrutiny

Current tax policy may make sense, but let’s investigate

By Paul DeBole Municipal Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Sep 16, 2017

THE ISSUE ARISES every so often, like a phoenix from the flames, especially around budget time. This year was no different. How do we, and how should we, tax nonprofit entities? Are nonprofit entities paying their fair share? Are nonprofit entities truly nonprofit? Before we answer that question, we need to take a closer look(...)

The Download

4 takeaways from sales tax moves

By CommonWealth Staff Charlie Baker, Cost of Living and Consumer Affairs, Current Affairs, Elections, Employment, Housing, Media and Journalism, Municipal Government, National Politics, Taxes and Budget Issues, Urban Affairs 0 Comments Aug 3, 2017

You could actually see an industry in transition on Wednesday. Amazon held a giant job fair at nearly a dozen of its US warehouses, including the one in Fall River, as the company sought to fill 50,000 empty positions across the country. At the same time, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts announced it was mounting(...)

Energy/ Environment/ Technology

Cities and states must take lead on climate change

Policies can yield substantial health dividends

By Jonathan J. Buonocore, Aaron S. Bernstein and Jonathan I. Levy Carbon tax, Clean Energy, Climate change, Environment, Greenhouse gases, Municipal Government, pollution, State Government 1 Comment Jul 29, 2017

CLIMATE CHANGE CREATES risks that scientists have been warning about for decades. Fortunately, many actions that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and hedge against longer-term risks can also benefit public health right now. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions often go hand in hand with reductions in air pollutants with well-established relationships(...)

The Download

Baker (still) flying high

By CommonWealth Staff Charlie Baker, Civil and Constitutional Rights, Current Affairs, Higher Education and Adult Learning, MBTA, Municipal Government, Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 2 Comments Jul 18, 2017

It’s great to be on top. Just ask Gov. Charlie Baker. The Republican governor has maintained his No. 1 ranking in the latest Morning Consult poll showing America’s Most and Least Popular Governors. Baker clocks in with a 71 percent approval rating, with just 17 of state voters disapproving of his performance. His steady popularity(...)

Politics/ Opinion

Eminent domain reform needed in Massachusetts

Power should be limited, particularly at local level

By Paul DeBole Municipal Government, State Government 2 Comments Jul 15, 2017

UNDER OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, there are various powers that are absolute and from which there are no appeal. One example of such a power would be the president’s pardon or executive clemency power. A president can, theoretically, pardon anyone for a federal crime for any reason or for no reason. Another example, a little(...)

The Download

Galvin throws shade on Millennium tower deal

By CommonWealth Staff Current Affairs, Growth and Development, Municipal Government, Urban Affairs 0 Comments Jul 12, 2017

Long ago, Beacon Hill insiders used to call then-Rep. William Galvin the Prince of Darkness because of his penchant for intrigue and political machinations. But now Galvin is coming to be known as the Lord of Light, the guy championing sunshine, not shadows, on Boston Common. As secretary of state and the overseer of the(...)

Politics/ Summer 2017

Lawrence’s Rivera facing tough reelection fight

City showing signs of progress, but mayor faces battle to retain his post

By Ted Siefer Gateway Cities, Municipal Government 1 Comment Jul 11, 2017

Photographs by Meghan Moore THE MARCHERS PLOD ALONG, wearing matching maroon shirts and holding campaign signs, fronted by the candidate himself, Mayor Daniel Rivera, who waves to onlookers, his gut hanging over pressed khakis. It’s not a very enthusiastic display in a parade that features, by turns, synchronized Latin dancing, beauty queens in chiffon, and(...)

Arts and Culture/ Economy/ Summer 2017

The promise of MASS MoCA

The museum’s latest expansion is a hit, but its impact on the struggling town of North Adams remains a work in progress

By Linda Enerson Arts and Culture, Economic development, MASS MoCA, Municipal Government, Western Massachusetts 4 Comments Jul 11, 2017

Photographs by Michael Manning TWO YOUNG MEN from Brooklyn tentatively inch down the hallway, holding onto a handrail because it’s so dark. They turn a corner and the room in front of them opens up, filled with intense light of different colors. They make their way to a bench and sit down, mesmerized by a large(...)


Current Issue
Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Shadow transit agency See all »	Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Shadow transit agency See all » Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Trading gangs and guns for a future See all » Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Democracy isn’t working in Massachusetts See all » Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues All quiet for Baker on the DC front See all » Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Islands face special pot challenges See all » Fall 2017 Fall 2017 See articles Download/View PDF Browse all issues Colleges can’t be bystanders on opioids See all »	Subscribe to CommonWealth. Support high-quality, non-profit journalism. Subscribe

Municipal Government

Don't call UMass Lowell's groundbreaking pact with the city a PILOT

Current tax policy may make sense, but let’s investigate

Policies can yield substantial health dividends

Power should be limited, particularly at local level

City showing signs of progress, but mayor faces battle to retain his post

The museum’s latest expansion is a hit, but its impact on the struggling town of North Adams remains a work in progress

Current Issue