The Globe is reporting that the state's Appellate Tax Board has ruled that: Verizon must pay taxes on poles and wires over public ways - a decision that could bring an estimated $78 million tax boost to cities and towns. When? "In terms of … [Read more...]
DiMasi wants experience
Well, here's an interesting, loaded quote:"I think Massachusetts will look at it to find out what they can see in Obama with respect to what they did with their vote for Governor Patrick," DiMasi said in response to a question. "To be … [Read more...]
Did Deval get his groove back?
They also conveniently left out this whopper “I am asking you again to voice that sense of urgency,” he said to the municipal leaders. “Let your representatives and senators know the cost of inaction is too high.” So … [Read more...]
Frankly, a disappointing year
And almost immediately after taking office, the fresh new Governor disappeared behind the curtain, presumably in order to familiarize himself with the real levers of power: the budget. Leaving the noisy public square created a vacuum, soon … [Read more...]
Budget, property taxes, and the bad vote
OK, holiday's over. It looks like we're pretty close to having a budget, and while the legislature deserves credit for encouraging the consolidation of health care and pension fund spending, their budget is going to include a lot more … [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...]
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...]