The money that the state provides to cities and towns for police and fire protection, parks, and other core local services is often referred to as general local aid (cities and towns receive separate Chapter 70 education aid to help fund … [Read more...]
Junk Food Subsidies
The Twinkie Tax If you asked most Americans where they thought their tax dollars should go, “making high fructose corn syrup cheaper to produce” probably wouldn’t come out too high on the list. And yet, we’ve spent billions over the … [Read more...]
Scott, We’re With Ya: Enough with the Fluff
Apparently Senator Brown has really had it with fluff. Addressing the Boston Chamber of Commerce yesterday, he said, "I can't go back to Washington later today and start working again on fluff, when we should be focusing on the very … [Read more...]
LISTEN TO RADIO BOSTON (90.9FM) TODAY AT 3PM!
Listen to Vic DiGravio, co-chair of the Committee Against the Repeal of the Alcohol Tax on Radio Boston (90.9FM) at 3PM today!!! You can also call in and voice your support: 800.423.TALK … [Read more...]
Let’s Stop the Gov-Bashing
Smitty: Bash the Governor. Meddle with the Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education, trying to convince them to stop pushing for regionalization of school districts entirely. Ignore the educational benefits of having larger districts … [Read more...]
How Do YOU Think We Should Fund Our State?
We all want to live safe, healthy lives. In Massachusetts, public services that we care deeply about - education, public safety, services for the elderly and disabled, and environmental protection, to name just a few - are hurting. For … [Read more...]
Another Option for Addressing Local Aid and Financing Our Schools
Today our debate on taxes is stuck in mud because it requires agreement at the legislature to either cut services, increase taxes or authorize local government to tax. In the absence of a resolution, our local cities and towns are … [Read more...]
Found: 10-15 MILLION Dollars!
Now that the Legislature released its final budget recommendation for FY10, its clear many worthy programs will be forced to lay off staff and cut back services. We all know that these are very difficult economic times. Every individual and … [Read more...]
Getting through this economic mess requires a different trajectory
While many economists will tell you this crisis came out of nowhere, economic theory actually could have pointed the way. A fundamental reality of our economy that economists across the spectrum have repeated in recent months is that … [Read more...]
Reverse the curse – that is the only way to eliminate the 9C cuts and take care of the vulnerable
To find out what I mean by "reverse the curse" you will have to read to the end. No shortcuts, please! What "9C" describes is a law that Massachusetts must have a balanced budget at all times. Unlike the Federal Government, … [Read more...]