I'm nowhere near Beacon Hill these days, so it is useful and perhaps natural for me to consider what fundamental changes will be left standing after Governor Patrick takes his walk tomorrow. I think of these as "facts on the ground," … [Read more...]
The 0.25% solution
It's a simple idea. On your state income tax, simply record your city or town of residence, and your 0.25% local income tax is sent directly to city or town hall. If you live out of state, and you pay income taxes because you … [Read more...]
“Municipal meltdown”
In which I partly agree with Barbara Anderson(!) ... Commonwealth mag's new cover story is on the budgetary dire straits many towns are experiencing these days, especially because of rising pension and health care costs. We've … [Read more...]
Patrick, telephone poles and the woodshed
In his remarks at the Municipal Partnership Act rally at the State House on Thursday, Patrick pretty much destroyed any argument Verizon might have for hanging on to their 1915 telephone pole tax exemption. Below Boston got the … [Read more...]
Keller lets Patrick pitch for partnership
Jon Keller does a full interview with Gov. Patrick on the WBZ website. They talk National Guard, gay marriage, and Mitt Romney. But the most timely and urgent part revolves around Patrick's Municipal Partnership Act, with which Keller is … [Read more...]
Health care spending: The blob that ate Massachusetts
Telling us what we already pretty much knew, here's the Globe:Health care spending for Massachusetts communities has nearly doubled since 2001, squeezing town budgets and forcing cutbacks in public safety and government services and leading … [Read more...]
Patrick takes cities-and-towns fight to the web
I don't like the practice of just pasting Patrick's press releases here ... but here you go.BOSTON - Governor Deval Patrick today unveiled the newest addition to the www.devalpatrick.com Web site, one that directly engages his … [Read more...]
Whipping for the GIC
I agree with Scot Lehigh that moving municipal employees' health care to the Group Insurance Commission is a desirable thing -- even if Kerry Healey also thought so. Health care costs are killing municipal budgets and causing taxes to be … [Read more...]
Death by Local Aid Reductions in Gloucester
Here's the story behind the story. According to the Globe, the cuts were the result of a failed override.The decision to close the fire stations goes back to June 2004, when Gloucester voters rejected by a 4-to-1 ratio a proposal to … [Read more...]
PDS Event: Budget Basics
(This event is listed on the BMG calendar and is cross posted at Mass Revolution Now!)The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) are hosting a forum on the city of Somerville budget. Inspired by the way the city of Lawrence has … [Read more...]