Coerced treatment has great appeal for parents, judge and prosecutors. But, now that it has become widespread, it is damaging the treatment system and making all treatment less effective.
Cutting the state budget
Observations about where Massachusetts stands in the crisis, how the state is responding, and how the cuts affects our local communities.
Massachusetts strategies to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Greenhouse gases in Massachusetts come in roughly equal parts from power generation, homes and buildings (mostly from heat, but also industrial processes), and transportation. Currently Massachusetts is moving forward very strongly on the first two sectors.
Health benefit comparisons
Most state and local government full-time workers are entitled to health benefits in Massachusetts with employee contributions often under 20%.
Pension Reform
While the basic structure of the pension system is economically sound, and the fact that the federal social security system has been underfunded is no reason to punish current Masschusetts employees, there are many pension anomalies that annoy taxpayers and merit fixing.
Private sector pension crisis
Problems in the public sector system mirror problems in the social security system.