Since President Obama’s campaign-trail promise to create 5 million new “green jobs,” there’s been a scramble among employers, job training programs, and whole business sectors to declare themselves “green,” and, […]
In Chicago, “green jobs” are nothing new
Posted inHealth Care, The Download
Blue Cross says GIC is not the only way for towns to cut insurance costs
One of Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposals to ease financial pressure on Bay State cities and towns is to move municipal employees into the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which negotiates health […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
MBTA puts the squeeze on suburban legislators, the MFA, and the BSO
The MBTA has released a detailed list of service cuts it's threatening to make if it doesn't get any help in reducing its $160 million deficit — presumably in the […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Big auto insurance rate changes for some drivers
The small average changes in auto insurance rates taking effect right now mask very large increases — and decreases — for some drivers. On April 1, the one-year anniversary of the […]
Posted inEconomy, The Download
Starbucks hunkers down in Massachusetts
The Boston Business Journal reports that Massachusetts will be unaffected by the shuttering of about 200 Starbucks locations across the US. Perhaps we're not cutting back on pricey coffee to […]
Posted inEconomy, Environment, The Download
When green is not “green”
"Green" may be the most elastic word of the new century. Once signifying a color midway between blue and yellow, “green” has morphed to refer to anything that could possibly […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Auto insurers raising, lowering their rates
One year after the launch of auto insurance competition in Massachusetts, companies are starting to tinker with their rates. Progressive Insurance of Ohio, which has been losing money in Massachusetts, […]
Posted inEducation, The Download
Most teachers in Mass. are old enough to be grandparents
USA Today reports (with map!) that Massachusetts ranks ninth in the percentage of teachers who are over 50. Its source is the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, which […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
In Boston, a mayoral race to the bottom?
We're getting an early taste of the Boston mayor's race, and it has a decidedly bitter flavor. Boston should be rolling out the red carpet for candidates who are serious about presenting […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download, Transportation
Massachusetts is dead last in seat-belt use
Seat belts were used in a record 83 percent of car trips last year, according to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But seat-belt use actually declined in […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download, Transportation
Is someone talking about transportation reform?
Rep. Joseph Wagner, the House transportation committee chairman, competed with chattering colleagues as work began on the transportation reform bill in the House chamber Tuesday afternoon. Wagner opened the session […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Newest brainstorm: A public market atop Filene’s ex-Basement
Will there be automatic markdowns on dented apples and not-so-fresh lettuce? Hair-pulling fights over heirloom tomatoes? Boston mayoral candidate Michael Flaherty suggests that the huge pit in the middle of Downtown Crossing […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
Hands off Massport, says its board chairman
EDITOR'S NOTE: Massport, the quasi-public agency that runs Logan Airport and the Tobin Bridge, has received some bad press lately — just like every other organization that has anything to do […]
Posted inEducation
Spending spiral
INTRO TEXT EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the publication of this story, CommonWealth has learned that some of the information it presented was incomplete. For clarification, please go here. ONLINE FORUM: To […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Would Massachusetts become more conservative without the Globe?
The New York Times Co. is threatening to shut down the Boston Globe if it doesn't get concessions from the newspaper's unions – which is causing media observers to speculate anew […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Figuring out how to save the Boston Globe
Media Nation's Dan Kennedy (a regular contributor to CommonWealth) has a typically thoughtful post describing five ways to save the "shrinking" Boston Globe. For example, he suggests a better integration […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Going, Going…Still Here
How's this for a sign of dire economic times? At the Park Plaza last night, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino ran a charity auction during a Whittier Street Health Center fundraiser […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
The difference between being governor and being mayor of a second-tier city
If you're Gov. Patrick, you spend a lot of your time trying to defend (or back-tracking from) actions that lead to bigger bankrolls for political allies. You may even lose […]
Posted inEconomy, The Download
Fast track to fast Internet service?
While most government entities are bracing for budget cuts, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute is crossing its fingers for a windfall of cash. The MBI, whose full board met for the first […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download, Transportation
Wiffing on “reform before revenue”
If MBTA benefits aren't really in play in the great state transportation bureaucracy overhaul, where does that leave reform before revenue? This week, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation published a study […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Tax credits on chopping block?
House Speaker Robert DeLeo says the fiscal situation is so dire that, even with $1.5 billion in federal stimulus money flowing to the state, billions of dollars in spending cuts will be needed to […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
The Hub of politics no more
In my final column yesterday for the final edition of the Globe's City Weekly section, I ponder Boston's increasingly anemic political scene. One area I don't explore there is the impact of the media itself. […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download, Transportation
Faring no better in New York
The MBTA isn’t the only cash-strapped transit agency looking for relief — and getting zilch — from state lawmakers. New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted overwhelmingly last week […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download, Transportation
Billions of billboards?
The MBTA failed to win friends or influence people with its plan to auction off billboard advertising rights in 60 locations in eastern Massachusetts. Predictably, some affected communities are seething. […]