Why COVID-19 tells us to embrace transit-oriented development, not reject it

The Gateway Cities Journal

• Policy Center

• May 1, 2020 Policy Center

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Recently, coronavirus has caused some to question the validity and safety of population density and transit. But the real culprits lie in crowding, poverty, pollution, and other socioeconomic factors - which TTOD aims to address.

Why Gateway Cities Could Be Headed for a Fiscal Emergency

• Policy Center

• Apr 24, 2020 Policy Center

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While the state has given municipalities more latitude to adopt local option taxes in recent years, and Gateway Cities jumped at the opportunity, these remain rather anemic funding streams.

For Gateway Cities, Census outreach during COVID-19 matters more than ever before

Gateways Podcast Episode 55

• Apr 22, 2020

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The pandemic has made traditional outreach for the Census all but impossible - but an accurate count is critical to the health of our communities.

Can the Student Opportunity Act Survive Coronavirus?

The Gateway Cities Journal

• Policy Center Education

• Apr 16, 2020 Policy Center Education

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Governor Baker announced that Student Opportunity Act (SOA) plans would be due May 15th, or a later date to be determined by Commissioner Jeff Riley. With the FY 2021 budget influx, Commissioner Riley's choice of a new date will have ripple effects far into the future. 

How public health agencies can protect populations most threatened by COVID-19

Gateways Podcast Episode 55

• Policy Center

• Apr 8, 2020 Policy Center

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Massachusetts' Gateway Cities are home to large numbers of vulnerable populations, including immigrants and people experiencing homelessness. This week, we talk to experts about why certain populations are more at risk when it comes to COVID-19, and how Gateway Cities can respond.

Decline in local news spells trouble for cities

The Gateway Cities Journal

• Policy Center

• Apr 1, 2020 Policy Center

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When local news coverage dwindles, citizens stop voting, serving on boards and commissions, and running for public office. The current pandemic of misinformation underscores the more immediate consequences of lost access to reliable news sources.

COVID-19 cost Mass. households $673m last week

New CommonWealth Article

• Policy Center

• Mar 30, 2020 Policy Center

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THE CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN cost Massachusetts households at least $673 million in earnings last week alone, according to an extrapolation of data gathered from a survey conducted by the MassINC Polling Group between March 20 and March 23.

Resiliency in their DNA: Gateway Cities in the face of crisis

Gateways Episode 54

• Policy Center

• Mar 25, 2020 Policy Center

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This week, Ben and Tracy look at how Gateway Cities are responding to the spread of coronavirus.

Local leadership in the face of Covid-19

The Gateway Cities Journal

• Mar 20, 2020

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From Sen. Eric Lesser and Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, chairs of the Gateway City: from the standpoint of both public health and social and economic well-being, COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge for Gateway Cities.

Talking Early College Success In Massachusetts

Event Recap

• Policy Center

• Mar 16, 2020 Policy Center

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For the first time in Massachusetts state history, the population of college educated residents is predicted to decline, putting long-term economic growth and opportunity for the state — and its residents — in question. A new coalition has set out to disrupt this trend with a simple, effective tool: early college.