INCSpot Blog

Kids in San Francisco get head start in financial skills

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:07:54 GMT

One way to strengthen Gateway Cities is to help families build assets that provide long-term economic stability. In Massachusetts, the Midas Collaborative provides financial education to low-income families and also operates matching-fund programs to encourage long-range saving. As Governing magazine reports, the city of San Francisco is going further by making financial skills part of its kindergarten curriculum.

Demonstrating the Transformative Redevelopment potential of Creative Placemaking through photography

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:20:37 GMT

Artists can play a major role in transformative redevelopment because they see space through a different lens, imagining authentic new uses for buildings that increase neighborhood vitality, and draw new investment to abutting properties.

Pending land use reform legislation could benefit Gateway Cities

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:09:21 GMT

Supporters of zoning reform in Massachusetts voiced support for new legislation (H. 1859) at a hearing on Tuesday. The bill, which would create more flexible zoning laws throughout the state, was filed by Senator Daniel Wolf and Representative Stephen Kulik. It has won support from the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, the Massachusetts Public Health Association, and the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association.

New York sees value, potential in its “Legacy Cities”

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:31:33 GMT

Massachusetts is not the only state seeking to realize the potential of its older industrial cities. In New York, the favored term is “Legacy Cities,” but ongoing efforts to revitalize upstate urban areas such as Syracuse and Rochester share many strategies and goals with the Bay State’s Gateway Cities initiative. It may be instructive to compare strategies and outcomes in the two states, and INCspot will be following the Legacy Cities initiative in the coming months.

New Grant offers help for vacant properties in the Gateway Cities

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:36:05 GMT

Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office recently launched a grant program that aims to help communities with high levels of distressed and vacant properties revitalize properties for residential use. The grant, called the "Distressed Properties Identification and Revitalization Grant" will accept applications from Gateway Cities and other municipalties that have high rates of distressed properties.

Working Cities Challenge applicants pledge to tackle education, health, economic development

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:31:30 GMT

The Federal Reserve Bank has released the letters of intent from applicants for a grant of up to $700,000 for an anti-poverty program in Massachusetts. The Working Cities Challenge (see previous post) is open to cities smaller than Boston with a higher-than-median poverty rate.

Ohio report touts brownfield investments, tax credit at issue in Mass.

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:40:43 GMT

An extension of the Brownfields Tax Credit program through 2018 — a component of transformative redevelopment in Gateway Cities — will be taken up in the state Senate this month, after being included in the House’s fiscal 2014 budget recommendations. The value of such a program was affirmed last week by a report from the Greater Ohio Policy Center.

Proponents of longer school days hope to make gains in state Senate's budget

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:54:11 GMT

After holding ground in the House, advocates of the Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative are urging the Senate to increase funding for the program, which currently provides aid to 19 schools that offer more classroom time for students. (See grant recipients here; some 90 schools statewide have some kind of program with additional school hours.)

Working Cities Challenge kicks off search for collaborative leadership in Bay State

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:35:21 GMT

The competition phase of the Working Cities Challenge, which will award up to $700,00 to an anti-poverty program in Massachusetts, will be announced this morning at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, a lead partner in the initiative. Twenty cities, all smaller than Boston and with a higher-than-median poverty rate, are eligible for the grant, but only one proposal per city will be accepted. Each proposal must be a partnership among public agencies and other stakeholders in the community, making it an example of “collaborative leadership.”

Mass. House reverses Cultural Council cuts, Senate to act next

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:30:54 GMT

This month, the state Senate is expected to pass its version of the state budget for fiscal year 2014 and advocates for arts spending, a key component of creative placemaking, are hoping to increase spending for the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Building up momentum to reinvent regional transit

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:38:53 GMT

Letter from MassINC and Transportation for Massachusetts capping off a series of recent forums on regional transit held in Gateway Cities across the state.

"Reinvestment" part of Justice Reinvestment Initiative being weakened, warns ACLU report

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:21:58 GMT

The Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a strategy to reduce corrections spending while lowering recidivism rates, is at risk of being watered down and even co-opted by the same forces that led to costly “tough on crime” policies, according to a report published this month by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Green space becomes part of creative placemaking in New Bedford, other Gateway Cities

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:41:03 GMT

New Bedford’s Custom House Square Park will be a “lush green outdoor living room for the city,” one of its designers told South Coast Today, whose Auditi Guhta reported (behind paywall) on the groundbreaking ceremony for the project earlier this month.

Reentry programs need coordination, more carrots and sticks, says DOJ-sponsored report

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:23:48 GMT

Reentry programs can be an effective strategy against recidivism, but not enough prisoners are released into such programs, according to a recent report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. MassINC also called for stronger reentry programs in a report released last month, “Crime, Cost, and Consequences: Is it Time to Get Smart on Crime?”

Key resource in creative placemaking threatened by budget cuts

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:42:50 GMT

A key resource for Gateway City revitalization efforts, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, would be significantly weakened by the state budget proposal released last week by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Gateway Cities eligible for Boston Fed Working Cities Challenge

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:55:32 GMT

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has recently announced a new initiative that will support cross-sector collaboration among small cities, including the Gateway Cities. The program, called "The Working Cities Challenge," aims to create stronger partnerships between key institutions, agencies, organizations, and businesses in these cities to improve the quality of life, especially for low income people.

Aligning Transportation and Transformative Investment

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:20:05 GMT

Governor Patrick’s The Way Forward plan provides an infusion of funds for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) serving Gateway Cities, including $100 million annually for enhanced service and $400 million in capital funds to purchase new buses and modernize facilities. If state leaders are able to support RTAs at this level, it could radically change the way these systems contribute to economic growth in Gateway City economies, particularly with regard to the transformative redevelopment concept MassINC recently unveiled.

MASSCreative Lobbying for increase in MCC budget

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:19:51 GMT

MASSCreative, the new organization formed to advocate on behalf of funding for the arts in Massachusetts, isn't wasting any time . Fresh off an inaugural tour of the state, they've started to lobby hard for an increase in the Massachusetts Cultural Council budget (A key resource for Gateway City creative placemaking efforts as detailed in our recent report). Follow this link to sign their online petition.

Small Business Loans in the Gateway Cities

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:12:19 GMT

A new report by the Massachusetts Community Banking Council provides insight into the small business loans originated in Gateway Cities from 2007 to 2011. The MCBC small business loans range between $76 and $244,405 for each municipality.

New Southcoast Urban Indicators Project measures vitality of New Bedford and Fall River

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:50:15 GMT

The Urban Initiative at UMass Dartmouth recently launched the SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project. The project takes a look at how well the SouthCoast region is doing on measures of health care, education, the economy, civic vitality, and safety. We are particularly interested in seeing how the project will track civic vitality in the future and see it as a model for developing benchmarks and inciting discussion around policy issues in other Gateway City regions. Check it out to see how the SouthCoast region is faring and provide your feedback as it continues to evolve.

New MassWorks grants benefit Gateway Cities

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:15:53 GMT

Gateway Cities part of Vision for Massachusetts as National Leader

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:29:38 GMT

Transportation Bond Bill Supports Gateway City Placemaking

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:29:09 GMT

Earlier this month, Governor Deval Patrick signed a $1.5 billion transportation bond bill that directs federal and state funds to various road, bridge, rail, and regional transit projects in the state, including several Gateway City placemaking projects.

A district-by-district look at the Gateway Cities

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:19:46 GMT

Gateway Cities are home to nearly 2 million residents, which gives them substantial representation on Beacon Hill. However, the drawing of legislative districts is an important factor in determining how well the Gateway Cities delegation can speak for these voters with a unified voice. Legislators that represent both Gateway Cities and suburban communities may have constituencies with vastly different needs.

BIDs strengthened in new jobs bill

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:04:47 GMT

Creative Placemaking Strategy Forum

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:00:55 GMT

MassINC recently hosted a webinar exploring strategies to advance creative placemaking policy in Massachusetts. You can view the webinar, which features MassINC research director Ben Forman, Mayor Morse of Holyoke, and MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson here.

Creative placemaking one weekend at a time

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:10:05 GMT

The Lowell Folk Festival kicks off tonight drawing more than 100,000 visitors into the city. By bringing together diverse groups of residents and showing off Lowell at its best, one weekend at a time, over a number of years, the Folk Festival has slowly added to the city’s vibrancy.

Creative placemaking in downtown Fitchburg

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:51:30 GMT

New report shows public transit is not working for employers in Gateway City regions

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:20:27 GMT

A recent report by the Brookings Institution sheds new light on how well public transportation connects jobs to people in Gateway City regions. This research is the mirror image of Brookings report published last year that looked at how well people are connected to jobs. The picture it portrays of the large mismatch between where public transportation is located and where the jobs are in many Gateway City regions isn’t any prettier.

Riding the casino train

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:19:49 GMT

There’s been talk about the Wampanoag casino in Taunton providing a big boost for South Coast Rail. While working to ensure that the casino is served by public transit makes sense from both smart growth and public safety standpoints (fewer greenhouse gases, fewer inebriated gamblers driving down Route 24), farebox revenues aren’t going to change the economics of the operation all that much.

Funding for Gateway City financial education and IDAs

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:02:49 GMT

The Massachusetts legislature is looking at funding for asset building anti-poverty strategies through two separate bills. The House budget provides resources to implement a financial education program aimed at Gateway City students in the k-12 public school system. The Senate budget restores $100,000 in funding for state Individual Development Accounts, which help low-income individuals build savings.

State launches Gateway City market rate housing program

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 10:53:21 GMT

The Patrick Administration announced a new first-of-its-kind state tax credit program this week to encourage market rate housing development in the Gateway Cities.

T Bailout leads to RTA increase

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 09:30:37 GMT

Transportation costs for homeless students could transfer to the state

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:13:05 GMT

The cost Gateway City school districts bear transporting homeless students could be passed on to the state if the budget proposed by the House prevails. (While the House budget picks up the $11.3 million that school districts were projected to spend on transportation for homeless students in 2012, the Senate budget does not contain funding for the plan. Gateway City districts account for about one-quarter of this spending.)

Lessons from Lawrence on education reform

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:29:24 GMT

Assets, not need should, define Gateway Cities

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:04:37 GMT

Research Director Ben Forman weighs in on why the Legislature should not expand the list of communities that are defined as Gateway Cities in a CW Voices piece.

The positive fiscal impact of historic tax credits

Tue, 29 May 2012 16:00:13 GMT

Gateway City Education Statistics

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:50:57 GMT

MassINC is compiling a “bluebook” with Gateway City education trends.

Gateway City education agenda falls short in House budget

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:58:27 GMT

The House budget released last week substantially scales back the Governor’s modest Gateway Cities Education Agenda. Of the fives areas the administration identified for support, only two received resources.

Immigrant entrepreneurs for growth and renewal

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:24:41 GMT

A recent report by the Small Business Administration highlights the role of immigrant entrepreneurs in the American economy.

Creative placemaking moves forward in Gateway Cities

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:24:56 GMT

Gateway Cities are seeing continued progress in implementing creative placemaking strategies just a few weeks after April’s Gateway Cities summit focused on building buy-in and sharing best practices on the economic development concept.

The challenge of working across communities

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:25:45 GMT

Boston Society of Architects Explores Placemaking in Gateway Cities

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:01:29 GMT

BSA’s Placemaking Network – co-chaired by Christina Lanzl (director of MassArt’s Urban Arts Institute) and Robert Tullis (director of design at GID Urban Development) – hosted a lively discussion on how state policy can support development in Gateway Cities that builds and reinforces their authentic urban fabric.

State releases draft market rate housing program regulations

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:33:32 GMT

The Dept. of Housing and Community Development has released eagerly anticipated regulations for the new Housing Development Incentive Program.

Love (for public transit) is in the air

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:24:45 GMT

The MBTA and RTA legislative caucuses came together for their first joint hearing on Valentine’s Day to discuss options to raise badly needed revenue for both the MBTA and the regional transit agencies that serve our Gateway Cities. In the past, the needs of transit agencies outside of Greater Boston have often been seen as secondary to the needs of the T, but increasingly, as captured in this analysis from State House News, the dialogue recognizes that investments in public transit are equally critical to the economic vitality of regions like Fall River, New Bedford, Springfield, and Worcester.

Gateway Cities caucus examines the fiscal benefits of the state historic tax credit

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:35:16 GMT

The Gateway Cities caucus got off to a strong start for 2012 with a very well attended presentation from Ted Carmen, representing the Public Private Partnership Committee of the Urban Land Institute

MBA launches Gateway Cities campaign

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:10:47 GMT

The Massachusetts Bar Association kicked off a new Gateway Cities campaign at the University of Massachusetts Law School in Dartmouth last week.

The State of the Gateway Cities in 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:46:40 GMT

It’s a new year, and annual census figures for US cities were recently released. MassINC has combed through these numbers to provide a fresh look at the state of the state’s Gateway Cities. This analysis reveals a sharp dichotomy. Gateway Cities are fairing well economically. Most are gaining population and most have recovered the jobs lost in the Great Recession. But as is often the case with cities, residents don’t always do as well economically as the urban economy in their midst.

Governor Patrick keeps a promise

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:35:29 GMT

Last February, Governor Patrick pledged to create a new Gateway Cities education strategy at the MassINC Gateway Cities Education Summit. The Governor made good on his pledge by including $10 million to implement his Gateway Cities education strategy, unveiled in November, in his FY 2013 budget request.

The American Dream: More than a bumper sticker

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:58:25 GMT

Republished here from CommonWealth magazine's Fall 2011 Editor's Note.

By Bruce Mohl

In 1996, the first issue of CommonWealth magazine featured a cover story on the changing economics of middle-class life in Massachusetts. The story focused on Heritage Road in Billerica, where the residents were doing reasonably well but having some doubts about the promise of the American Dream.

Do voters care about creative placemaking?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:41:04 GMT

By John Schneider

Creative placemaking is highly collaborative work requiring active public/private partnerships to marshal the resources, will, and energy to change a street, neighborhood, or city. State and local governments need to work with artists, entrepreneurs, and community and business leaders to advance successful projects. Creative placemaking requires broad community support, especially from the voters who not only determine the outcomes of elections, but the public agenda that follows.

A victory for Holyoke?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:27:41 GMT

By John Schneider

There’s something very appealing about downtown Holyoke. The city has some great old buildings and public spaces, it was the birthplace of volleyball, and has one of the niftiest city halls you’ll see anywhere. Locals say that their city hall’s clock tower was built high enough so that folks in Boston 100 miles to the east would see it. Holyoke was an early example of a planned industrial city and the paper industry flourished there, providing good jobs to immigrant families settling in Western Massachusetts. However in recent years, like Gateway Cities throughout Massachusetts, the city has seen its share of hard times. More than 26% of the city’s population live below the poverty line making it the poorest city in Massachusetts and one of the poorest small cities in the nation.

Leading the creative Gateway City

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:25:06 GMT

Creating mojo in the Gateway Cities

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:18:28 GMT

It takes a lot of “mojo” to help smaller industrial cities turn things around. For 11 mill cities in Massachusetts, what we at MassINC call the Gateway Cities, sparking economic and social innovation often requires thinking out of the box. That’s where creative placemaking can help local leaders think about their communities in new ways and shape the character of a community around arts and cultural activities.

Boston's "diversity density"

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:54:20 GMT

New Census data show growing number of residents living in concentrated poverty

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:44:56 GMT

Concentrated poverty is a big problem for many urban communities, including a number of the state’s Gateway Cities. Studies show that concentrating poor families in neighborhoods with other extremely low-income residents magnifies the negative effects of poverty. Crime, high school dropout rates, teen pregnancy rates, and substance abuse are all higher than they would otherwise be when poverty is highly concentrated in a neighborhood.

Summer jobs programs serve Gateway Cities

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:33:43 GMT

Research from Andy Sum and Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies documents the important connection between holding down a job in high school and attachment to the labor force in later years. Professor Sum’s research tells us that high Gateway City teen unemployment rates could have economic consequences that persist well into the future. Budget makers have been struggling to preserve the programs that these communities need to give high school students employment opportunities. Here’s a quick summary of three youth job programs and their funding prospects for the new fiscal year.

New report spotlights skilled immigrants in Gateway City regions

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:20:56 GMT

New research by the Brookings Institution adds to our understanding of immigrants in Gateway City regions. The report looks at the balance between low-skill (those without a high school degree or equivalent) and high-skill immigrants (those with a BA or higher) in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas.

Evidence for asset building

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:53:27 GMT

In today’s economy, many working families earn wages at or near the poverty threshold. Supporting these families with traditional anti-poverty strategies, which focus on increasing income, is unrealistic given the current budget picture. Another more economical approach is emerging that involves helping these working families build assets, such as an education, a business, savings, or a home.

Over 100 gather at MassINC event to discuss ways to combat climate change

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:42:42 GMT

Family asset building as a high impact economic development strategy

Fri, 06 May 2011 14:19:31 GMT

Family asset building is steadily emerging as an economic development strategy with the potential to strengthen Gateway Cities. The approach is focused on supporting individuals and helping them gain assets that provide long-term economic stability. As noted in a recent evaluation conducted by the UMass-Boston McCormack School, the benefits of this approach can translate into real gains for local economies.

Brookings report calls for renewed focus on urban manufacturing

Fri, 06 May 2011 14:03:35 GMT

CW and the Gateway Cities

Fri, 06 May 2011 13:54:14 GMT

By John Schneider

The current edition of MassINC’s CommonWealth magazine features several items related to the Gateway Cities. If you want to learn more about the state of affairs in Lawrence—including the city’s embattled mayor—check out Gabrielle Gurley’s feature story “Lawrence on the mat.” Also, Robert Fishman, real estate partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish, LLP, describes the financing deal for the Quincy Center project. He says the deal, “among the most complicated documents with which I have been involved during more than 30 years of real estate practice,” might just be the “creative solution” needed to move projects in the Gateway Cities forward today. Finally, Lowell resident John Schneider puts his own Gateway Cities spin on a review of Ed Glaeser’s book, Triumph of the City.

Ben Forman presents on innovation cities at the American Planning Association's annual conference

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:17:17 GMT

Wonk & Roll: Education reform through pressure points

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:12:17 GMT

Secretary of Education Paul Reville is quoted in today’s Boston Globe story about underperforming schools, “It’s a lot of hard work ahead. There are no magical cures.” We agree, and with 71 percent of Gateway City students attending a level 3 or 4 school, and with 23 underperforming schools in a Gateway City—10 in Springfield alone—we have no time to lose.

Empty basket

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:43:19 GMT

Most of us take for granted being able to access healthy food at the neighborhood grocery store. But a new report by a Philadelphia-based organization called the Food Trust says that Massachusetts does not have enough supermarkets to adequately serve our population. The Commonwealth ranks near the bottom nationally in having enough supermarkets to meet the state’s need. Supermarkets also create jobs locally, supporting economic and neighborhood development efforts. MassINC’s John Schneider has been asked to serve on a new task force to look at how to expand access to supermarkets, especially in Gateway Cities where the need is greatest.

Who wants to be a millionaire?

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:39:53 GMT

CEO’S For Cities has launched an unusual contest. In an effort to increase the number adults with college degrees in our cities, they have partnered with the Kresge Foundation and the Lumina Foundation to award the $1 million “Talent Dividend Prize” to the city with the greatest increase in the number of college degrees per one thousand population. To find out if your city is eligible to enter the contest (and many of the Gateway Cities do qualify), click here. Good luck!

Climate change progress on a small scale

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:46:16 GMT

A regionally imbalanced recovery

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:10:19 GMT

The Brookings Institution has released its latest analysis of metropolitan economies and Massachusetts is one of fifteen states where the bulk of economic output comes from one metropolitan region. That’s the Boston metro of course, a point that we have documented through our research as well. There are six metro regions in Massachusetts and four of them are, according to Brookings, in the top 100 metros nationally. But only one is driving the state’s economy and helping us toward recovery.

See video of the recent Gateway Cities strategy presentation

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:03:30 GMT

Creative economy success in Haverhill

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:25:23 GMT

Gateway Cities ed poll shows public has low expectations

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:56:25 GMT

The State of the Gateway Cities in 2011

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:58:54 GMT

Education and workforce development, ten years later

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:33:46 GMT

Its time to review our economic development priorities

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:14:31 GMT

Wonk & Roll: Bang bang

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:54:26 GMT

Wonk & Roll: The next UMass president

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:40:27 GMT

By John Schneider

With Marty Meehan out of the running for UMass president, we thought it might be helpful to nominate a few other candidates for consideration. So, in no particular order—other than alphabetical—here is our list:

Don't give GE $25m in tax credits

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:05:14 GMT

Wonk & Roll: Improving economic competitiveness in Patrick's next term

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:58:35 GMT

Now that the election is over, the real work begins. And the real work for Governor Patrick for next year is all about WORK and how we can get more of it here in Massachusetts.

Wonk & Roll: How school choice can change schools

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:36:57 GMT

By John Schneider

A couple of items from the inbox this week. The first is about school choice, the second is a shout-out to a friend and colleague.
On October 16^th, the Boston Globe ran a front page story about school choice.

Wonk & Roll: Moving beyond access in higher education

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:28:38 GMT

By John Schneider

I have just one reaction to issues raised at this week’s fine “Reinventing the University” conference sponsored by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE): How serious is higher education about change? If we are indeed living during a period of “transformation” in higher education, as Pat Callan asserted at the NEBHE event, we have a lot of work to do and we need to do it with a greater sense of urgency.

Wonk & Roll: Three cheers for three year degree

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:13:05 GMT

UMass Amherst’s announcement that it will start offering a three-year undergraduate degree is good news for ambitious students and cash strapped families looking to save some money.

Wonk & Roll: Will Obama pick balance the scales?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:02:36 GMT

Wonk & Roll: Local solutions to national gridlock

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:03:30 GMT

A call to service

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:12:04 GMT

Wonk & Roll: Required reading on higher ed

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:00:48 GMT

I’ve been a regular reader of the Washington Monthly since the 1980s and their annual college guide, out this week, has become one of my favorite issues. Here’s why: it turns the college rankings system on its head by trying to measure how well colleges are contributing to the nation’s wellbeing.

Helping the buyer beware in the higher education marketplace

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:42:08 GMT

As reported in today’s Boston Globe, the coming “crackdown” on higher education institutions with high student default rates is long overdue.

The Death of the Press Conference-Do's and Don'ts for a Dying Art Form

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:55:06 GMT

A Frontline View of Healthcare in the Commonwealth

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:06:55 GMT

Ranking exports

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:13:28 GMT

State of Service initiative announces policy platform

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:26:08 GMT

The MassINC Associate Board and AmeriCorps Alums Boston Chapter today released a White Paper outlining the background and policy goals for their joint State of Service initiative. Thei initiative builds off the hugely successful Cities of Service program, a bipartisan coalition of 101 mayors around the country who are working to develop comprehensive city-wide service plans and engage their citizens in solving local problems.

Fresh thoughts from the Greenway

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:22:03 GMT

Shouting into the void

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:18:27 GMT

Media to FTC: Drop dead

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:31:20 GMT

Some Like It Hot

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:53:00 GMT

Creative Economy Strategy Gains Momentum in Pittsfield

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:35:52 GMT

If I ruled the Globe

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:12:51 GMT

Ads and comments blend at the Globe

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:11:42 GMT

We need more housing

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:13:40 GMT

Springtime in Holyoke

Fri, 14 May 2010 11:29:06 GMT

The 'comment' game, part 2

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:59:07 GMT

College for sale?

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:26:21 GMT

Playing the 'comment' game

Thu, 06 May 2010 12:17:08 GMT

Salem mayor says health care impasse may require ballot solution

Thu, 06 May 2010 12:08:32 GMT

Newspaper endorsements still matter

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:09:29 GMT

MassINC at the GOP Convention

Mon, 03 May 2010 13:54:45 GMT

Board of Higher Education launches effort to build support for public colleges and universities

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:11:04 GMT

Policy groups to explore housing crisis in upcoming forum

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:00:35 GMT

Ethics complaint against Ethics Commission

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:22:27 GMT

Globe's dominating presence at GOP convention

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:14:13 GMT

MassChallenge launches startup competition

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:03:13 GMT

South Coast Rail as economic development

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:41:41 GMT

Duquette's ticket absurdity

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:10:10 GMT

New Jersey offers new model for economic development reform

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:28:37 GMT

Yin and yang

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:11:59 GMT

What's the "next stop" for public transportation in the United States?

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:45:04 GMT

Economic development reform bill missing key transparency provisions

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:41:31 GMT

Is $200K the new magic number?

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:47:11 GMT

Source 2.0: Using Twitter to connect with reporters

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:38:46 GMT

Actions try to speak louder than words

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:31:32 GMT

Knowing what you're paying for

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:27:11 GMT

Money for Nothing: Gillespie and Zweig on the failure of corporate boards

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:09:43 GMT

Junkies and wonks get their fill at annual Starting Line breakfast

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:49:22 GMT

Politics is good business at Ch. 5

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:03:11 GMT

Majoring in something else

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:13:05 GMT

Creative economy roundtable shows economic development is fine art

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:56:00 GMT

Carr, Braude sing same tune

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:11:27 GMT

Mitt and African-Americans

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:06:29 GMT

Not a wrap: Why the legislature should pull back on the film tax credit

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:51:09 GMT

Reading habits tough to break, especially today

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:56:46 GMT

It's never easy with the T

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:52:22 GMT

Internet moving up as news source

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:29:04 GMT

Greg Torres: The Ultimate Good Guy

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:27:25 GMT

The Monitors web first approach

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:59:51 GMT

Web news: Chicago vs. Boston

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:04:57 GMT

No funds for Open Meeting Law enforcement

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:22:50 GMT

BRA responds to pricey records requests

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:19:37 GMT

Pricey public records

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:44:15 GMT

Full disclosure, at a cost

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:37:03 GMT

Journalism: The poetry of the new decade

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:37:54 GMT

The day the Globe jumped the shark

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:39:21 GMT

News cuts tilt coverage toward upscale

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:58:52 GMT

Ad revenue slides at Globe, Telegram

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:46:07 GMT

Purcell spends $1m on computer system

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:47:01 GMT

A talk with Planning for College author Tony Broh

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:35:43 GMT

The Bay State Banner's Menino conversion

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:19:23 GMT

The Kindle and I

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:52:50 GMT

Our apologies on posting problems

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:46:26 GMT

Brian McGrory or Jack Flynn?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:42:12 GMT

Experiments with the news

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:03:24 GMT

Brown the man or Brown the number?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:08:19 GMT

The BRA's pre-buttal

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:33:15 GMT

Print still rules

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:53:55 GMT

New online magazine extends CommonWealth's reach

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:32:43 GMT

City of Champions A portrait of Brockton MA

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:30:10 GMT

The (un)changing face of journalism

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:24:07 GMT

It's simple: Listen to the voters

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:45:04 GMT

To charge or not to charge for the news

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:43:06 GMT

Mark Erlich

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:05:00 GMT

The multimedia Globe

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Lessons from Salongate

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:59:00 GMT

Real Talk Health Insurance

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:12:00 GMT

Seeking to serve

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:57:00 GMT

Time warp: Women are still waiting for an electoral breakthrough in Massachusetts

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:06:00 GMT

Redefining financial literacy

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:19:00 GMT