Baseball at Fenway, runners arriving for the Marathon, with these sure signals that Beacon Hill is moving into full budgeting mode, out came the eagerly anticipated FY 2025 budget from the House Ways and Means committee last Wednesday. The bill gives us a first glimpse at how the legislature will respond to the state’s declining
MassINC Announces Greg Torres Senior Fellows Program and Inaugural Cohort of Participants
Press Release
April 9, 2024 / BOSTON, MA – Today, MassINC announced the Greg Torres Senior Fellows Program designed to recognize and carry forward the legacy of Greg Torres, who served as CEO and board chair of MassINC for sixteen years before passing away in July 2023. The fellowship program is designed to bring together professionals at
Rep. Roy’s a Champion for Gateway City Students
The Gateway Cities Journal
Hundreds of students from Gateway Cities across the commonwealth descended on the State House last Wednesday for Early College Day. The power of so many students giving voice to the life-changing opportunities that they have received was moving. For Lt. Governor Driscoll—whose leadership has been integral to the initiative’s growth and success—it must have been
Massachusetts political parties are fading away
By the Numbers
VOTER REGISRATION UNDER party labels has been on the decline for years, but new figures show political parties in Massachusetts withering at a much greater rate than previously known, with nearly two-thirds of all voters now registered without a party designation. On a practical level, there is little benefit to registering under a party banner in
New MPG Poll: Worcester-area residents back fare-free buses
70% want to see the program extended for a 5th year; riders say they will ride less if fares return
As the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) weighs the future of fare-free bus service, a new poll of the region finds that seven-in-ten residents support continuing the 4-year-old policy. A majority (54%) strongly support continuing free fares. And nearly half of current riders surveyed say they would ride the bus less (26%) or stop riding altogether (19%)
First take: Gov. Healey’s economic development bill
The Gateway Cities Journal
There’s a lot to like in Governor Healey’s economic development bill. The wide-ranging law includes several smart provisions on issues that matter to Gateway Cities, most notably, small business and inclusive entrepreneurship. But there are also some missing components, and big existential questions about our Commonwealth’s priorities and needs that merit reflection, as the bill
MassINC Matters: The January/February Round-Up
The latest from our research, journalism, and polling
Welcome to our first “MassINC Matters” newsletter of 2024. As a valued member of our community, you’ll receive an email update from us every other month providing you with an insider’s perspective into the latest work happening across our organization. While we wrap up the final days of the month, here’s a round-up of
An Act to Promote Downtown Vitality, February 2024 Fiscal Analysis and Recommendations
How much tax revenue is 5% of the state’s remote retailer (online) sales tax collections? MassINC’s Policy Center spent several months in dialogue with the MA Department of Revenue requesting this data. Ultimately, DOR informed us that they cannot disaggregate sales tax proceeds. For example, when Walmart pays its sales taxes to the commonwealth, the
New Bedford’s leadership on housing is a model for Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities Journal
A new analysis of local and regional housing needs by New Bedford’s Regeneration Project marks an inflection point in the statewide housing crisis. Produced by MassINC, this in-depth report provides insight into rapidly escalating housing costs, and actions that private and public sector leaders in Greater New Bedford can take to get to the root
It’s cold outside, but things are heating up fast on Beacon Hill
The Gateway Cities Journal
The legislature is back for the final six months of the 2023-2024 session, and the FY 2025 budget process is in full swing. On Wednesday, Gov. Healey presented her second budget. While managing through the first difficult fiscal year in a long time, the administration’s blueprint makes bold investments in Gateway Cities. Here’s a quick