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Lousy Healthcare for Thee but Not for Me
/in Blog, Featured, Life Sciences, Pioneer Research /by William Smith and Robert PopovianIn recent years, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have instituted programs to keep out-of-pocket drug costs high for patients. Why is the administration so eager to protect federal employees from high out-of-pocket costs but is perfectly happy for PBMs to enroll millions of other patients in these programs?
History Class: A New Culture War Front
/in Blog: Education /by Jude IredellProgressives and conservatives have sponsored politically influenced alterations to history curricula across the country. Recovering trust in history education is an imperative, and teachers and educators can help by making students aware that the facts of history are themselves political, constantly manipulated to advance parties’ and politicians’ own interests. Curricular standards that offer this guidance would weaken biased assaults from either ideological side.
The Rise of the Grievance Essay?
/in Blog: Education /by Jude IredellIn the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision that racial discrimination in college admissions is unconstitutional, Harvard and other elite colleges and universities have adopted new essay prompts that openly invite applicants to air identity-based grievances in hopes of aiding their admissions chances.
A History of Massachusetts’ Peculiar Beach Access Laws
/in Blog, Blog: Education, News /by Jude IredellMassachusetts rivals Maine for the lowest percentage of publicly owned and accessible coastal land. What seems a geographic coincidence is actually the product of contentious property rights disputes going back nearly 400 years, to the days of Puritan law.
Harsh Tax Policies in NY Make MA Seem Palatable as Some Residents Look to Relocate
/in Blog: Economy /by Sarah DelanoWhile many Massachusetts residents relocated to either New Hampshire or Florida in 2021, a considerable amount of New Yorkers migrated into Massachusetts. Their motivation to relocate seems largely tied to the harsh taxes in New York, which surpass the rates in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts’ “Stinger” Tax, Explained
/in Blog: Economy /by Sarah DelanoMassachusetts recognizes S Corporations as flow-through entities. However, it levies an additional “stinger” tax on shareholders of these types of entities, depending on their revenue and industry. The state should reform S Corporation tax policy because the current system is uncompetitive and nonneutral. And, in addition to the new surtax on earnings over $1 million, the stinger tax could make business owners consider relocating, which would take revenue and surtax from the state.
Changes to the Confounding Massachusetts Estate Tax
/in Blog, Blog: Better Government, Blog: Economy, Blog: Transparency, News /by Peter MentekidisPolicymakers on Beacon Hill have many visions of tax relief for this fiscal year, and all of them include changing the estate taxes. What are those changes, and what would their impact be?
University Presidents Salary Comparison, Pt. 2
/in Blog, Blog: Education, Higher Education /by Teddy WynnSee how Massachusetts state schools’ presidential salaries match up. Presidents with schools who have less than a 1,000 student enrollment are near the top of the list.
The War on Math in Boston-Area School Boards
/in Blog, Blog: Education, News /by Jude IredellDespite long-standing bipartisan agreement that all students need and deserve challenging curricula for educational success, many Boston-area school boards are dismantling advanced math programs in the name of equity and inclusion; such moves only exacerbate educational disparities while ignoring the persisting achievement gaps across racial demographics.
An Examination of the Commonwealth Rainy Day Fund
/in Blog, Blog: Better Government, Blog: Economy, Blog: Transparency /by Peter MentekidisEstablished in 1987, the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund has been a key component of the financial stability of Massachusetts. As of recently, it’s seen spectacular growth. Why?
University Presidents Salary Comparison, Pt. 1
/in Blog: Education, Higher Education /by Teddy WynnSee how much each president of a New England public university makes.
U.S. History and Civics Education: Lacking Standards, Little Knowledge
/in Blog: Education, Blog: US History /by Sarah DelanoAccording to both the NAEP U.S. history and civics test results and a national survey emulating a U.S. citizenship test, students and citizens in America are largely lacking the mastery of the subjects. At a time when history and civics education is highly politicized, we must improve their education to ensure future generations of capable citizens.
GDP by Industry: Middlesex County v. Suffolk County
/in Blog: Economy /by Sarah DelanoMiddlesex and Suffolk counties have contributed far more to the state’s GDP than any other county in Massachusetts. However, the two differ in which industries are responsible for the greatest shares of their GDP.
The Curious Case of the Missing Stabilization Funds
/in Blog, Blog: Better Government, Blog: Economy, Blog: Transparency /by Peter MentekidisStabilization funds are a key component of a municipality’s financial strength, yet many towns (including Boston!) report no stabilization funds. Why is this?
HDIP: Unintended Consequences Adding to the Housing Crisis
/in Blog, Blog: Economy, Housing /by Teddy WynnSee how the HDIP affected the state’s housing crisis. Housing prices in Gateway Cities, such as Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Lawrence, are skyrocketing.