Saturday, May 11, 2013
Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.
A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Michael Pelgro has been serving as acting district attorney in Middlesex County.
Gov. Deval Patrick announced yesterday afternoon he has appointed Marian T. Ryan as Middlesex County District Attorney (DA), according to a press release issued by Patrick's office. Ryan, who currently serves as the Middlesex DA's general counsel, will assume the responsibilities for the Middlesex County DA's Office as DA Gerald Leone recently stepped down from his post to join a private law firm. A 30-year veteran of the Middlesex County DA's office, Ryan has served as general counsel and chief of the office's elder and disabled unit, the press release said. She has tried hundreds of cases in both district and superior courts and argued more than 40 cases in the Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court. “Marian brings a great wealth of …
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Should the state forge ahead with Gov. Deval Patrick's bold plan to invest now? Or should it follow the Legislature leadership's proposal to address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives?
Massachusetts legislators this week answered Gov. Deval Patrick's ambitious plan to raise $1.9 billion for transportation and education with a $500 million plan of their own, which says the governor is asking for too much, too soon as the Bay State shakes off the effects of the Great Recession. Who's right? Should the state forge ahead in a bold plan to invest now? Or should it cautiously address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives? While Patrick's plan includes funding for both the state transportation system and increased education funding from preschool through college, House and Senate lawmakers eschew new revenue for education, focusing solely on closing the transportation budget gap over the next five years. The …
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The governor is optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?
Gov. Deval Patrick is still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don't sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically damaging measure. The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution and outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor's new Web tools touting proposed transportation and education …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Do you wonder what the 'sequester' will mean for Massachusetts? A White House report gives examples of where federal aid would be cut.
Massachusetts would see more than $91 million in federal funds cut from a myriad of programs if Congress fails to act this week to avoid the sequester, the Obama Administration said Sunday. In a move designed to pressure Republicans into accepting new taxes on the wealthy as part of a deal to prevent the sequester from taking effect on Friday, the White House released reports that outlined how those cuts would impact individual states, The Huffington Post reported. Here are some examples of what's on the chopping block for us here in Massachusetts, according to the report: After the reports were released, congressional Republicans criticized the Obama administration for the PR move, The Huffington Post reported. “Rather than issuing last-…
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?
All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …
Saturday, January 26, 2013
The governor's budget proposal for fiscal 2014 would raise $1.9 billion in new revenues through a combination of tax increases and eliminating some tax breaks. Is the state's economy ready for this?
After years of treading water in the state budget, Gov. Deval Patrick has put forth an ambitious $34.8 billion proposal for the coming fiscal year that would make significant investments in education and transportation by raising $1.9 billion in revenue, through a combination of tax increases and eliminating some tax breaks. The question: Is the state's economy ready for this? To raise that funding, Patrick's proposal would increase the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent, while doubling personal exemptions. It'd also lower the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. Several tax breaks for both personal income and businesses would be eliminated. The gas tax would be indexed to inflation, ensuring gradual increases in what …
Friday, January 18, 2013
Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray will not run for governor in 2014, citing the demands of campaigning, serving in elected office and his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters.
Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray will not run for governor in 2014, citing the demands of campaigning, serving in elected office and his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters, his hometown newspaper the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester reported. “It's something I have been thinking about for some time,” Murray said of the decision, which he said came after sitting down to talk it through with his wife, Tammy, and key supporters since the Christmas holidays. Murray, who was mayor of the City of Worcester, told the Telegram & Gazette the demands of running a campaign and serving in office can require 15- and 16-hour days, six and seven days a week and would leave him little time to be with his family. Framingham Democrats …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Newton resident and State Treasurer Steve Grossman told WCVB's "On the Record" that he is "leaning strongly" toward running for governor.
Although Steve Grossman has already acknowledged a possible run for governor in 2014, the Newton resident and state treasurer is now saying that he is "leaning strongly" toward a gubernatorial bid. As reported on Monday, Jan. 7 by State House New Service, Grossman told WCVB's "On the Record" that he has not made a final decision on whether to run for governor, but that he is "leaning strongly in that direction" [to run]. The "On the Record" episode with Grossman aired on Sunday, January 6. Grossman, a Democrat, told WCVB that being governor is "a role I'm very comfortable playing." Grossman also ran for governor in 2002. He was first elected state treasurer in 2010. At this time, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray is the only other potential candidate …
Friday, January 4, 2013
Frank reportedly wants to stay to be part of the 'fiscal cliff' debate.
One day after leaving the U.S. Congress, former Democratic Congressman Barney Frank said he asked Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint him as the interim senator to fill John Kerry's seat. Frank made the remarks during an appearance on MSNBC this morning, Jan. 4. If appointed, Frank would fill the seat Kerry will likely vacate if he is confirmed as the next Secretary of State. Frank said he wanted to stay in politics for now because he wanted to be part of the 'fiscal cliff' debate, according to the Herald. Tweets from Boston Globe political reporter Glen Johnson confirmed the news. "But [the fiscal cliff deal] now means that February, March and April are going to be among the most important months in American financial history," Frank said on …
Wanders 365
8:38 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
I work for an MSS company and moved recently from the west coast. Been here about two years and I must say the lifestyle, education, business climate and environment are as good as anyone could ask for. MA seems to have weathered a significant recession pretty well. Streets are still swept, people are busy...Some feel the taxes and regulations are burdensome and I guess they move to NH? more ›