Government Reform

children and families, election laws, ethics rules, insider jobs, pensions & benefits, structure and operations, transparency

Off Topic – What makes us "Happy" – A formula for good government…

Interesting article on the happiest (aka most prosperous) countries in the world (http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-happiest-countries-233204795.html) ———————————————————————– “…Indeed, most of the top 20 ‘happiest’ countries according to the index are in western Europe. So what gives? What do these nations have in common that can somehow explain their prosperity? Being an electoral democracy is virtually a given. Being …

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Complex Systems and the cost of Simple Solutions

I often criticize people in politics, particularly on the left, of trying to solve tough problems through simplistic solutions. (Note to all, yes, I’m more of a conservative, but Will Brownsberger appeals to me as a “thinking Liberal” so these comments don’t apply to him, so Will, don’t take offense – in my dealings with …

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Notice of Public Hearings: The Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System

The Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System has issued the notice found below.  Senator Brownsberger serves as a co-chair of the Commission. Notice of Public Hearings The Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System   Monday, October 15th, 1-3pm Room A-1, State House; Boston, MA and Thursday, October 18th, 1-3pm Amphitheatre III (6th flr), …

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The 8.25%: PRIT’s long-term actuarial target rate of return

In recent months, Senator Brownsberger has engaged in discussions with government officials regarding the actuarial target rate of return for the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Trust fund (PRIT). The PRIT fund is the state’s pension fund, established by the legislature in 1983 to address the state pension system’s unfunded liability. PRIT’s long-term actuarial target …

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