Baker’s Seminal Economic Development Legislation

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Apr 29, 2022 Policy Center

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Gateway City economic development leaders huddled on Zoom Wednesday for a call with Sec. Kennealy. The discussion offered valuable insight into how Gov. Baker’s $3.5 billion economic development/ARPA 2.0 bill could sow seeds for growth. Here are our first impressions of the governor’s final major contribution to economic development policy.

The House doubles down on Early College expansion

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center Education
Apr 14, 2022 Policy Center Education

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Massachusetts House Leadership unveiled an FY 2023 budget that includes $19 million for Early College. The FY 2023 budget now moves to the Senate. They must stay at it.

Gateway Hubs Project Director advocates for a flexible approach in MBTA Communities letter

Policy Center
Apr 14, 2022 Policy Center

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MassINC’s Gateway Hubs Project Director André Leroux weighed in on DHCD’s draft guidelines for this “transit-oriented zoning” program, called MBTA Communities.

20 Gateway City Mayors and Managers Urge State to Fund Downtown Housing

Policy Center
Mar 23, 2022 Policy Center

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20 Gateway City mayors and managers endorsed letters to MA State House and Senate leadership requesting meetings to address the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) project backlog. View their letters here.

Gateway Cities Look to Fuel Early College Expansion in the FY 23 State Budget

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center Education
Mar 23, 2022 Policy Center Education

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When the Gateway City Legislative Caucus convened on Monday to review FY 23 budget priorities, additional funding for Early College made their short list. Fully funding Dual Enrollment and Early College line items is critical to meet the growing demand for high-quality Early College programs in Gateway Cities.

Preliminary Thoughts on a 2022 Equitable Economic Development Bill

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Mar 7, 2022 Policy Center

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Seasonal patterns suggest a large economic development package will land on Beacon Hill during the month of March in an even year. Sec. Kennealy can make a compelling case for filing a bill laden with policies to ensure that the unprecedented federal investments flowing into Massachusetts generate equitable growth.

Preliminary Thoughts on ARPA 2.0

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Feb 22, 2022 Policy Center

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Governor Baker’s second ARPA spending bill is anticipated in the coming weeks. Rather than responding to emergencies, the state can now use these flexible funds for transformative long-term investments with a heavy focus on parts of the state beyond I-495.

Gateway Cities are Part of Solution to Mass. Segregation

Ben Forman featured in Banker & Tradesman

Policy Center
Feb 3, 2022 Policy Center

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Research Director Ben Forman offers an effective housing strategy to address economic segregation in Massachusetts public schools in this Banker & Tradesman piece.

For the T, Equity is the train that got away

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Feb 3, 2022 Policy Center

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The MBTA presented a package of proposed fare reductions to its new governing board late last month. Billed as an effort to increase equity, it’s hard to see how the changes will do anything but prolong and perhaps even amplify current inequities.

‘Twas the week before Christmas…

Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Dec 20, 2021 Policy Center

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MassINC Research Director Ben Forman takes a poetic approach in describing a wish-come-true Gateway Cities vision for the holidays. Click the links while reading through to catch up on previous Gateway Cities Journal editions.

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MassINC is a key partner to the Boston Foundation, and all of us who are seeking to advance the regional conversation around economic opportunity and a strong quality of life for all. MassINC's robust, nonpartisan research is exactly what our citizens and leaders need to make good decisions.

Paul Grogan, Former President of The Boston Foundation
I watch my inbox for CommonWealth magazine’s Daily Download. I can count on the newsletter to tell me succinctly what’s happening in politics and public policy. The magazine itself always delivers in-depth news, analysis and commentary. It's simply outstanding, quality journalism. I am happy to support unbiased reporting through my participation in Citizens Circle.

Helen Chin Schlichte Former Public Administrator; President Emeritus, South Cove Manor at Quincy Point
MassINC's long-term dedication to Gateway Cities makes them a valuable resource to all of our communities. They are a true thought partner. They go the distance to help others appreciate our unique opportunities, needs, and perspectives.

Tim McGourthy Chief Financial Officer, City of Worcester
MassINC serves as a credible, thoughtful resource for all of us who are invested in the future of the Commonwealth. Its emphasis on careful analysis that is grounded in data, research, and polling makes an important contribution to and helps elevate the conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing the region.

Trevor Pollack, Manager of Special Projects for the Barr Foundation
The potential of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities is limitless. MassINC’s dedicated work in promoting these cities has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in their individual and collective success.

Jay Ash
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and former chair of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute
MassINC has always provided research showing the detrimental impact of the state’s unforgiving criminal justice system on our communities. Their polling confirmed that the public understood the need for change in our system. That criminal justice reform is at the forefront of bipartisan local and national debates today is in no small measure due to MassINC’s persistent and fair commitment to the issue.

Juliette Kayyem Faculty Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Founder Kayyem Solutions LLC
Through my partnership with MassINC, the Building On What Works Coalition is working to unite a diverse collection of civic leaders around an urgent call to encourage the state to act on the progress that has been made ensuring all children in Massachusetts have a true chance to succeed in the state’s economy. MassINC’s research and commitment to data driven public policy are helping to give the children of Massachusetts a better education.

Kim Driscoll Mayor of Salem
MassINC's work with the Gateway Cities is unmatched. As Eastern Bank strives to help businesses in these communities thrive, MassINC has been a tremendous partner, providing data-driven research and affirming that these cities are full of opportunities.

Bob Rivers Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank
When MassINC speaks, it’s well worth listening. After all, the nonpartisan think tank has established itself as a thoughtful, careful, credible voice on public policy in Massachusetts.

Scot Lehigh Boston Globe Op-Ed Columnist
Few organizations in the country have better understood the important role of governance reform and accountability in education policy and economic development than MassINC.

Bruce Katz Former Vice President and Founding Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution
[MassINC's] understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing the state’s older cities, its belief in the opportunities that present themselves in those communities, and its advocacy of the role that public higher education can and should play in them, has added to the understanding that policy makers need to have as they move our state toward the future.

Jean MacCormack

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Whether it’s planning events, conducting research, or analyzing the news, our team works on projects that we’re passionate about.
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Former MassINC employees have gone on to work at reputable organizations like Harvard University, Boston University, City Year, EnerNOC, and Governor Baker’s office.
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Our work on transformative development, which uses public and private funding for projects to revitalize an entire downtown or urban neighborhood, began as Policy Center research report in 2013. A year later, the state legislature passed a bill funding transformative development projects across Massachusetts.
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Ben Forman featured in Banker & Tradesman

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