Even with the sales tax increase, the budget will sustain deep cuts and Massachusetts will have a roughly average tax burden compared to other states. The increase will fund local aid, Big Dig debt and limited restorations of key programs.
Author Archives:
Reform before revenue, part 2 — pension reform
Pension reform is probably the most fundamental and controversial among the reforms on the agenda this year. Now seated on the Public Service Committee, I expect to give this area quite a bit of my own attention.
Reform before revenue — the legislative agenda this spring
Our mantra in the legislature this spring is “Reform before Revenue.”
Ethics reform
Last night, the House passed a very strong ethics reform bill. Speaker Deleo, understanding the deep public anger about the scandals of the recent past, made this bill his top early priority. Transportation and pension reform bills will follow over the next few weeks.
Education stimulus funding proposal — tentative
The Governor’s announcement today of an allocation of stimulus funds for education was good news for Belmont and Arlington (not for Cambridge).
Smart growth
Smaller housing units in high density areas are more efficient from both the building carbon use perspective and the vehicle miles travelled perspective.