Hewitt Health Care Lecture 2013: “Who Controls Health Care Costs? And How?” featuring Harvard economist David Cutler and Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Avik Roy. March 6, 2013 Joseph B. Martin Conference Center Harvard Medical School
STUDY: TIE NEW FUNDING TO PERFORMANCE, IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION REFORM Phasing in additional money based on MassDOT performance will improve service Massachusetts’ aging transportation infrastructure needs about $2.6 billion in new investment over six years that would come in stages based on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT’s) performance on a series of publicly accessible metrics and implementation of reforms included in a 2009 state transportation law and earlier legislation, according to a new Policy Brief published by Pioneer Institute. In “Driving Reform: Real Solutions to Our Transportation Challenges,” Pioneer Senior Fellow Charles Chieppo and Executive Director James Stergios recommend that the new funding be evenly split between gas tax hikes and fare increases on one hand, and money freed […]
Gregory Sullivan Joins Pioneer Institute as Research Director Influential think tank welcomes former Massachusetts Inspector General BOSTON, MA – Pioneer Institute announced today that Gregory W. Sullivan will become the organization’s new Research Director. Sullivan begins his position on April 2nd. “We are pleased to have Greg Sullivan join the Pioneer team,” said Stephen D. Fantone, the Institute’s Chairman and CEO of Optikos Corporation. “His experience and integrity further build Pioneer’s brand as an above-the-fray institute focused on policies that improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and ensure an accountable and effective government.” “The Pioneer team is really excited to have Greg on board,” said Jim Stergios, the Institute’s Executive Director. “Greg is a creative policy thinker and someone […]
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, American historical texts whose significance far exceeds their immediate practical impact, fundamentally transforming the moral purpose of the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863 in the third year of the war (though it was announced shortly after the Battle of Antietam in September, 1862) states: “That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” [message_box title=”Join Us on April […]
Pioneer Files Request for the Administration to Release Its Report on the Impact of The Federal Health Law on Massachusetts’ Small Businesses The report is known to indicate that the ACA will cause “extreme premium increases” for small businesses BOSTON – Today Pioneer Institute filed a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA) for all drafts of a March 2012 Division of Insurance (DOI) initiated special examination report that looked at the impact that certain changes required by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare) will have on the small group market and to permissible rating factors used in Massachusetts. “In order to have an honest and transparent debate on the impending changes that our citizens will face under the ACA, […]
The Pioneer Institute presents “No More Know Nothing Laws: School Choice in Massachusetts” featuring Kevin Chavous. March 15, 2012 Hyatt Regency Boston.
Massachusetts is one of most “Catholic” states in the country, yet it is one of just two states with strict constitutional barriers, so-called anti-aid amendments that prevent public funds from being disbursed to working families to help them afford private or parochial school tuition. Pioneer has published numerous reports and op-eds exposing these amendments, vestiges of 19th-century bigotry against Irish-Catholic immigrants. Read Jamie Gass’s latest op-ed, “In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, repeal Know-Nothing law,” in The Patriot Ledger. Pioneer supports increased access to private and parochial schools, because parents should be able to choose the best school for their children, and no child should be trapped in an under-performing public school. Eighteen states, including Rhode Island, currently have education voucher or tax credit scholarship programs […]
Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research DEVELOPMENT INTERN Pioneer Institute is an independent, non-partisan, privately funded research organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts through civic discourse and intellectually rigorous, data-driven public policy solutions based on free market principles, individual liberty and responsibility, and the ideal of effective, limited and accountable government. Candidate Profile Interest in fundraising or non-profit administration, positive attitude, team player, attention to detail. Familiarity with social media platforms, Internet research, and Excel. Must have exceptional phone manner and feel comfortable making calls. Task Assignments Maintain development databases, perform outreach telephone calls, update social media platforms, participate in donor research, provide administrative support to development staff. Time Commitment Part-time: 15-20 hours per week, […]
Shawni Littlehale, Director of Pioneer Institute’s 2013 Better Government Competition, provides a brief overview of the contest, this year’s theme, and easy ways to enter and help spread the word. Your idea to facilitate job growth could win $10,000!
New Front in Charter Schools In Massachusetts, a Pair of Democrats Push to Lift Restrictions in Some Districts U.S. NEWS March 10, 2013, 7:40 p.m. ET Article http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323293704578334142723722634.html?mod=googlenews_wsj By JENNIFER LEVITZ BOSTON—Massachusetts lawmakers are considering eliminating a cap on the number of charter schools that can operate in the lowest-performing school districts, including here in the capital city. While other states also have weighed lifting caps, charter advocates point to left-leaning Massachusetts as a somewhat unlikely model for the movement. “This demonstrates that charter schools are a viable reform,” said Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a nonprofit aimed at advancing the movement. “If it can happen in Massachusetts, it can happen anywhere.” Charter schools receive […]
This week, Pioneer hosted its annual Hewitt Health Care Lecture, again bringing together influential leaders in medicine, business, and public policy to hear nationally recognized experts discuss our most pressing health care policy challenges. This year, Harvard economist David Cutler and Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Avik Roy discussed issues relevant to both the ACA (ObamaCare) and the new Massachusetts law (Chapter 224) that attempts to control costs and implement payment reform. The speakers delivered presentations on the problem of rising healthcare costs, followed by a moderated discussion, and audience Q&A. Check out our Facebook photo album; watch the video: Featured Speakers: David Cutler is Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics in the Department of Economics at Harvard and holds secondary appointments at the […]
Reforms to Boston harbor clean-up, welfare programs, child support, wetland permitting, and more
Reforms that expand charter schools, strengthen K-12 education standards, establish teacher tests, and improve ELL and special education programs
Reforms in Health and Human Services, MBTA budgeting, charter school expansion, and higher education
Reforms in transportation infrastructure, housing, health care benefits, education and municipal finance.
Pioneer Institute visited Phoenix Charter Academy in Chelsea, where we talked with Phoenix Executive Director Beth Anderson and 2009 PCA graduate and current staff member Julio Hernandez about the unique mission of the school, which serves at-risk youth. They told us about the benefits that this educational model can bring to students from Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke if Phoenix’s application to open a new Springfield school is approved.
Pioneer Institute visited City on a Hill Charter Public High School in Roxbury, which is applying to expand to two more schools located in Boston and New Bedford. We interviewed Executive Director Erica Brown, who told us about the school’s mission to help all students gain access to college.
New study recommends re-establishing an independent state Charter School Office (CSO), raising the statewide charter cap, and providing charter operators with the support they need to start and run a school.
Meeting the Challenge of the FY10 Budget Author(s): Jim Stergios and Steve Poftak — Publication date: 2009-06-11 Category: Better Government Abstract: It took one day for the House of Representatives to raise the sales tax 25 percent. It took just one day for the Senate to do the same. [wpdm_package id=62]
Teaching U.S. history in public schools was the subject of a Pioneer Institute event and book signing on Monday, January 28 at the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston. Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Howard Dodson, who directs Howard University’s Moorland-Springarn Research Center and Library System, and Dr. Jack Rakove, the William Robertson Coe professor of history and American studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove won the Pulitzer Prize in History for his book Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Dr. Howard Dodson, Jr. is the Director of Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and Library System. Previously, he provided 27 years of service as Director of Harlem’s Schomburg Center […]
Teaching U.S. history in public schools was the subject of a Pioneer Institute event and book signing on Monday, January 28 at the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston. Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Howard Dodson, who directs Howard University’s Moorland-Springarn Research Center and Library System, and Dr. Jack Rakove, the William Robertson Coe professor of history and American studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove won the Pulitzer Prize in History for his book Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Dr. Jack Rakove is the William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science and (by courtesy) law at Stanford University, where he has […]
Teaching U.S. history in public schools was the subject of a Pioneer Institute event and book signing on Monday, January 28 at the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston. Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Howard Dodson, who directs Howard University’s Moorland-Springarn Research Center and Library System, and Dr. Jack Rakove, the William Robertson Coe professor of history and American studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove won the Pulitzer Prize in History for his book Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. The panel discussion following the keynote addresses included: Moderator: Robert Pondiscio, Director of Communications, Core Knowledge Foundation Anders Lewis, Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Will Fitzhugh, The Concord […]
Teaching U.S. history in public schools was the subject of a Pioneer Institute event and book signing on Monday, January 28 at the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston. Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Howard Dodson, who directs Howard University’s Moorland-Springarn Research Center and Library System, and Dr. Jack Rakove, the William Robertson Coe professor of history and American studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove won the Pulitzer Prize in History for his book Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. The panel discussion following the keynote addresses included: Moderators: Robert Pondiscio, Director of Communications, Core Knowledge Foundation Anders Lewis, Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Will Fitzhugh, The Concord […]
Michael Horn of Innosight Institute was the keynote speaker at Pioneer Institute’s event, “Quality Virtual Schooling: Global Best Practices,” at the ??Omni Parker House? in Boston, February 7, 2013
Julie Young of Florida Virtual School introduced the keynote speaker at Pioneer Institute’s event, “Quality Virtual Schooling: Global Best Practices,” at the Omni Parker House in Boston, February 7, 2013
Pioneer Institute interviewed SABIS Educational System’s Jose Afonso about the successful academic model provided by Massachusetts’ two SABIS schools in Springfield and Holyoke. He described the benefits SABIS can bring to families in Brockton, if the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves their application to open a school there.
Pioneer Institute visited Edward Brooke Charter Public School on January 30, 2013, and interviewed Brooke Charter Schools Co-Director Kimberly Steadman. Brooke is hoping to expand its successful program to a fourth school serving 500 Boston students.
Pioneer Executive Director Jim Stergios presents a comprehensive overview of job creation trends in the Commonwealth since 1990, drawing on findings from Pioneer’s seven-part series on this topic.
In the State of the Union Address last night, President Obama spoke at length about how the country can kick-start the great American job engine. Here in Massachusetts, we hear that we are doing well compared to the rest of the country. And in part it is true that Greater Boston (though not the rest of the state) is faring better than many older industrialized states. But overall we have a stagnant job base and we face huge challenges. In the video presentation below, Pioneer Executive Director Jim Stergios provides a comprehensive overview of findings from our seven-report series on job creation and economic development in the Commonwealth, entitled, “Massachusetts’ New Economy.” [youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaePzajNdpc[/youtube] The “Massachusetts’ New Economy” series […]