Posts on MBTA pension transparency End the Secrecy of the MBTA Pension System Senate Transportation Plan includes Transparency Enhancement Posts on financial transparency in the legislative process July 2012 Senate Transparency and Financial Management Reforms Progress on Controlling Special Interest Tax Breaks Transparency Improvements Implemented Transparency Rule Changes Passed Transparency Improvements Passed Transparency and the …
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what are reasonable assumptions about long term returns of pension plans?
“…the current [pension] shortfall is attributable to the recent stock market plunge…” Hmm…first of all, the S&P 500 has doubled from its March 2009 low and is now within 40 points of its all time high (1,565 on Oct. 9, 2007). So we are past the plunge. Second, the problem of poor returns now stretches …
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FY2012 Budget Priorities
I sent my annual priorities statement to the House Ways and Means Committee today.
Public Benefit Issue
I appreciate the fact that you have been so involved in this issue as it is one of the largest fiscal issues facing Massachusetts and the rest of the Country. Any reforms in this area however cannot simply be stopping the continued growth of pay and benefits in the public sector but actually reversing them. …
Algebra II for all
There is little to suggest any course is relevant to job success (history, literature, social studies,…). The requirement for job success is communication (language proficiency, and writing), abstract reasoning (often thought to be taught via mathematics), critical reasoning (this and writing are assumed to be taught in all the other courses via seminar-like discussion of …
Public Employee Benefit Reform
During my recent re-election campaign, I made public employee benefit reform a high priority and, having been reappointed to the public service committee, I’ll be working hard on the issue. Ongoing input will be much appreciated.