(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blogsite) In a preview this week of the Fiscal 2018 state budget, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center points out a key shortcoming in the budget process. That process is not transparent, the … [Read more...]
Defend family planning funding in MA
You’re not going to believe this. The national attack on women’s health has made its way to our home state. Last week, State Representative James Lyons (R-Andover) filed an amendment (#575) to the Fiscal Year 2013 state budget to cut … [Read more...]
ACTION ALERT: Tell Your Legislators to VOTE NO on the Sales Tax Holiday
[Cross-posted from ONEMassachusetts.org] Last Friday, the Legislative Leadership decided to stage the annual summer debate around a sales tax holiday. The bill, filed by Senator Hart, will be heard by the The Joint Committee on Economic … [Read more...]
The Usual Budget Mystery: What to do?? UPDATE
[Cross-posted from RealClout.org, where I sometimes channel Hecate to answer common questions from bewildered community activists...] Dear Hecate, I’m a “citizen” lobbyist, part of a statewide organization, and we have been lobbying for … [Read more...]
We’re Still Working: A Summer Campaign to Build Support for Our Communities!
[Cross-posted from ONE Massachusetts by Harmony Blakeway] Are you interested in getting involved in efforts to re-evaluate and rebuild our state's tax policies and budget priorities? Across the state, local community activists are … [Read more...]
Are Mass Movies a Sound Investment?
How do film credits impact our short and long-term goals for the state?As opposed to other tax credits such as the research credit, low income housing tax credit and life sciences tax credit, the film tax credit strategy is not making a … [Read more...]
Massachusetts’ Environmental Assets For Sale:Treebay Launches Online Auction
Treebay is a project of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Environment Massachusetts, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Council of Churches, Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, and the Trustees of Reservations. … [Read more...]
Governor’s budget out
Today, Governor Patrick will release the state budget, setting in motion a process of give and take that will unfold over a minimum of three months. During that period, many of us will be advocating against cuts -- to our programs, our … [Read more...]
BHI Forecast: State tax revenues to increase by 2.1% in FY 2010 and by 4.4% in FY 2011
BHI Forecast Update: State tax revenues to increase by 2.1% in FY 2010 and by 4.4% in FY 2011 (BOSTON, Dec. 16, 2009) - After examining the state's slide into a recession and the prospects for recovery, The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk … [Read more...]
A Smokin’ Success Story
[Crossposted from ONE Massachusetts by Harmony Blakeway]As our community leaders and advocates look through the dramatic cuts being made to all manner of state structures and programs, we thought it would be good to look at one of our many … [Read more...]