Gov. Healey can make a bold statement with HDIP, commuter rail fares, and RTA funding in FY24 budget

The Gateway Cities Journal

Governor Healey’s first budget will provide the opening look at the administration’s policy priorities. This glimpse comes at what is almost certainly a defining moment for Massachusetts. After a long string of success, the state’s economy faces serious peril, brought on by a potent combination of the COVID-19 shock, regulation inhibiting housing production, and systemic

Poll: Mass. voters say an even split of millionaire’s tax would be a fair share

Two-thirds think surtax proceeds should go into a trust fund.

February 10, 2023 When Massachusetts voters approved a new surtax on income over $1 million last year, it was clear what that money was supposed to go to: transportation and education. But how much should go to each? A new poll from The MassINC Polling Group (topline, crosstabs) finds that just under half of voters

Three Ideas to Boost Gateway Cities’ Housing Production

Ben Forman featured in Banker & Tradesman

January 29, 2023 SUBARBS ARE getting the lion’s share of the blame for Massachusetts’ colossal failure to produce housing. While their overtly exclusionary practices certainly merit a stronger response, myopically focusing on restrictive suburban zoning distracts from an equally pressing problem – the lack of residential investment in Gateway Cities.  The commonwealth’s regional urban centers

Event Recap | The Time is Now: Ending the College Affordability Crisis in Massachusetts

On Wednesday, January 25th, MassINC, uAspire, One Goal, Bottom Line, and The Education Trust hosted a forum on the future of public higher education finance in Massachusetts. The hybrid event brought together more than 200 education practitioners, policymakers, and leaders for a timely dialogue on how Massachusetts deploys Question One funding to increase college access

Five Gateway City bills to watch this session

The Gateway Cities Journal

Last Friday was “docket day” on Beacon Hill, the deadline for filing legislation for consideration during the 2023 – 2024 session. The co-chairs of the Gateway Cities caucus presented five hefty bills. As a package, the complementary and commonsense policy proposals contained in these bills would offer a huge infusion of energy for Gateway City

Hello from Joe Kriesberg, MassINC’s new CEO

Dear Friends, I’m excited to be writing this email from my desk at the MassINC offices at 11 Beacon Street in downtown Boston. After transitioning jobs for the past two months, it is great to focus my full attention on MassINC’s extensive and impactful work. I applied for and accepted the job of CEO at

Early College is a beacon for Gateway City progress

The Gateway Cities Journal

As we embark on this new year and new legislative session, we mark an important anniversary: 10 years ago Mayors Kim Driscoll and Lisa Wong brought Gateway City leaders together to craft the Gateway Cities Vision for Dynamic Community-Wide Learning Systems. From expanding access to early education to building comprehensive student support systems, the shared blueprint

Statewide Poll of Parents Highlights Challenges Massachusetts Faces in Addressing Students’ COVID Recovery Needs

New poll sheds light on parents’ thoughts on the necessary supports and resources to help students recover academically

Seven out of 10 (73%) Massachusetts parents believe their child’s school has enough resources to help students in need, but fewer (56%) parents who see their children as behind grade level say the same. As Massachusetts decision-makers decide how best to tackle students’ unfinished learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new poll released today by

Simply Having a Wonderful MassINC Time

Our 2022 year-end wrap-up

Simply Having a Wonderful MassINC Time  (loosely adapted from Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”) [Verse 1] The mood is right The spreadsheet’s up The data’s clean And that’s enough [Chorus] Simply having a wonderful MassINC time Simply having a wonderful MassINC time [Verse 2] The meeting’s on Each city here From Chicopee East to Revere [Chorus]

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