The Governor’s Commission on the Future of Transportation envisions a high-performance regional rail system connecting urban centers across the Commonwealth to Boston’s talent, R&D, and global relationships. This strategy leverages existing commuter rail infrastructure to generate more balanced economic development throughout the state. However, it still requires a considerable investment. We will need to modernize the commuter
Distilling local accountability lessons from near and far
Gateways Episode 22
As the education funding debate heats up on Beacon Hill, Ben continues our series on local accountability with a look at Chicago, IL and Springfield, MA. In a short chat with MassInc intern Alexis Polokoff, Ben unpacks Chicago's famed local school council model. Next, Ben interviews Paul Foster, Chief
TOD Big and Small in Fall River
Gateways Episode 21
In this episode of Gateways, Tracy takes a walking tour in the heart of Fall River with private developer Alan Macomber and the city's executive director of community development, Mike Dion. Our guests explain Fall River's plans to connect downtown to its vibrant waterfront while creating more market rate
Sixth Annual Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Policy Summit
Event Recap
Spring has been a whirlwind of activity. Amid it all, the Sixth Annual Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Summit stands out as a bright point. This year’s theme, Learning from Early Accomplishments in Young Adult Justice, drew a large crowd to the UMass Club on May 23rd, where speakers and attendees exchanged a wide range of
Ben Forman and Dr. Tracy Corley offer testimony to the Joint Committee on Revenue
On Regional Ballot Initiatives for Transportation
The Honorable Adam G. Hinds, Senate Chair The Honorable Mark J. Cusack, House Chair Members, Joint Committee on Revenue State House, Rooms 109-E and 34 Boston, MA 02133 Dear Chair Hinds, Chair Cusack, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for this opportunity to provide written testimony in support of An Act Relative to
State House Forum Brings to Life the Power of Early College
Event Recap
MassINC unveiled new research on Early College high schools last Thursday, June 6th, at a State House forum. Our new report showcases data from two independent randomized controlled trials suggesting Early Colleges have demonstrated ability to double post-secondary degree completion among low-income high school students. Based on these strong results, rigorous cost-benefit analysis finds Early
‘Gateways’ Goes to Early College: Leominster
Gateways Episode 20
Hosts Ben Forman and Juana Matias begin the second installment in our podcast series exploring the promise of Early College by reflecting on a recent State House forum where over a hundred Early College students and educators shared their transformational experiences. Juana then interviews Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago.
Northern Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum
Event Recap
On Thursday, May 30th, the Northern Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum brought people from across the Commonwealth to the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub. Participants in the morning’s activities dug into how Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill are transforming their cities and surrounding communities using transit-oriented development. Speakers and panelists discussed proposed and active rail
Wielding the Double-Edged Zoning Sword
The Gateway Cities Journal
The Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance released a new study linking the state’s housing crisis to zoning at a well-attended State House event last week. Amy Dain, lead author of the report, pointed to four ways zoning inhibits the housing market: height and density limits, ad hoc approval processes, mixed-use commercial requirements, and “edge city” land
Special fare for low-income T riders gains momentum
Some control board members back more commuter rail discounts
MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Steve Poftak said on Monday that the agency intends to research how to implement a special, less expensive fare for low-income people, but he said the scope and parameters of the study need to be worked out. “The intent is to study it. It’s just a question of the depth of the