The time has come. Reform is moving -- with strong initial steps that need to be strengthened even further in conference committee. Time to take a razor to waste. But without revenue to fix a transportation mess 20 years … [Read more...]
What’s $100 million between friends?
Despite the Bay State's long record of scandal, pension abuse, and waste, this reminds us: no state has an monopoly on cronyism. What will the legacy of this first Patrick-Murray-DeLeo legislative session be on ethics? Let's hope it's … [Read more...]
Republicans remember the 90s. Do we?
In 1993 and 1994, Newt Gingrich changed the way that the Republican party does business. Before Gingrich, there were policy differences, but strong working relationships allowed major legislation to move when Reagan and Bush Sr. worked with … [Read more...]
Investing in the future
Back when he was a university professor, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke specialized in studying the causes of the Great Depression. Now, he has his hands full trying to prevent a second one. Today, Bernanke told the House Budget … [Read more...]
Too much money, too few hands
Here is a graph of income in the United States since 1979. We see the wealthiest 1% skyrocket. The wealthiest 20% grows, but much more slowly. And the bottom 20% has not grown at all, except for keeping up (barely) with inflation. (h/t New … [Read more...]
Barney’s Moment
Judging from the Sunday shows, it looks like Congressman Frank, thank goodness, still has his wits about him: But Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said on Sunday … [Read more...]
Patriot Ledger talks Same Day Reg, Boston Globe says No More Floridas
Should 537 votes in Florida decide a presidential election, when one candidate is beating the other by over more than half a million votes nationwide? Today's Boston Globe says "no" to more Floridas, and "yes" to the National Popular Vote … [Read more...]
Man Climbs New York Times Building
Today, a man climbed the 52 story New York Times building to protest global warming. It's must see TV. … [Read more...]
Sign a get well card for Senator Kennedy.
Here. … [Read more...]
Rep. Polito’s Unnecessary Law
In the wake of a controversial Supreme Court decision to back Indiana's strict voter id law, which requires current, government-issued, photo id to vote, Mass State Rep. Karyn Polito is pushing to change Massachusetts laws to … [Read more...]