THE PIONEER BLOG

Mary Connaughton

Top 10 Government Transparency Resolutions for 2018

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We hear the word transparency a lot these days. Whether it’s the public demanding it or public figures claiming to embody it, transparency is rightly viewed as an admirable pursuit. When it comes to government, transparency fosters civic engagement and promotes public trust. Openness in government is the cornerstone of a healthy, vibrant democracy. In 2016, Beacon Hill took some steps to promote transparency with public records law reform, but fell short of what Pioneer had hoped for. The Commonwealth continues to advance in terms of spending transparency and, as Pioneer reported, Massachusetts municipalities were more transparent than their national peers when it came to disclosing the details of their bids for Amazon’s second headquarters – kudos to them! There was […]

Editorial Staff

Join Us on Catholic Schools Week for Special Film Screening Events

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Join us as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, with special film screenings of our new documentary, “Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams: Ending America’s Bigoted Education Laws,” at Boston College High School in Boston, MA on Monday, January 29th at 6:30pm; Marian High School in Framingham, MA on Tuesday, January 30th at 6:30pm; and Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, MA on Thursday, February 1st at 5:30pm. View a film trailer featuring Sarah Kelter, a student at Framingham’s Marian High School: “Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams” profiles four American families, two of which are from Massachusetts. Their pursuit of educational opportunity is impeded by so-called Blaine Amendments, which prohibit state money from supporting families sending their children to religiously affiliated schools. There […]

Will Kauppila

MBTA’s Green Line Extension is Getting Back on Track

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According to Pioneer’s MBTAanalysis.com, the MBTA’s Green Line had over 64 million recorded passenger trips in 2016, the most of any light rail transit service in the US. Extending the Green Line’s service area into Somerville and Medford would vastly improve accessibility for two densely populated cities that are underserved by rail transit. Two key developments in the second half of 2017 have given the MBTA’s Green Line Extension (GLX) project some much needed momentum. As Pioneer previously reported, cost estimates had ballooned to over $3 billion due to a lack of due diligence in the bidding process with previous contractor White-Skanska-Kiewit, and $1 billion in federal grant money for the project appeared to be in jeopardy at the end […]

Editorial Staff

Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday and School Choice

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Today, we honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life and work helped advance the American promise of equal opportunity for all. A key element of that promise is access to high-quality educational options. Pioneer Institute has held numerous public forums on Dr. King’s heroic legacy, and the continuing struggle to realize his dream. You can watch video highlights from our many events on Civil Rights below. Pioneer is also proud to announce next week’s release of a new documentary film, “Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams: Ending America’s Bigoted Education Laws,” that traces the ordeals of four different families who must make sacrifices to send their children to schools that offer instruction rooted in religious faith, […]

Editorial Staff

Announcing Pioneer Institute’s 2018 Better Government Competition Topic: “Making Higher Education & Career Training Options Affordable & Effective”

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Each year, the Better Government Competition focuses on one of the country’s greatest public policy challenges. Families today are struggling to afford college, young adults are saddled with crippling debt, and government workforce development programs and existing education models have not been reliable pipelines to stable employment. In recognition of these challenges, Pioneer Institute’s 2018 Better Government Competition seeks ideas to make postsecondary education options for high school graduates more affordable, accessible, and effective. Download the Contest Guidelines Enter here. Share the Contest Guidelines: http://bit.ly/2Ai7zYQ Share the Guidelines on Facebook Share the Guidelines on Twitter Entry Deadline: Papers of up to five (5) pages due by Friday, March 23rd  at 4:00 PM ET. Submit an idea paper of five or fewer pages describing […]

Editorial Staff

12 Reasons to Give to Pioneer Before Midnight

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With the New Year fast approaching, here are 12 reasons to donate to Pioneer before the clock strikes 12:00 and ushers in 2018: In January, the Institute begins its national release of the documentary film, Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams: Ending America’s Bigoted Education Laws, which recounts the shameful history behind opposition to school choice and the impact on families in states across the union. In March, Pioneer will release a book sharing the best practices from Massachusetts’ gold-standard charter public school movement with other states. Pioneer’s examination of the University of Massachusetts’ reckless expansion plans prompted the Baker administration to revamp the decision-making process for state college and university capital projects. Pioneer is one of the highest-rated charities among the thousands […]

Editorial Staff

Happy Holidays from Pioneer Institute!

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Wishing you and your loved ones warmth and joy this holiday season!  

Mary Connaughton

Beacon Hill Needs to Get This Right – Right Now

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No one said it better than Justice Louis Brandeis. “Sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants, electric light the most efficient policeman.”  If today’s story on former State Senator Brian Joyce, indicted today for allegedly collecting about $1 million in bribes and kickbacks, isn’t a wake-up call for the legislators to fix the sad state of government transparency in Massachusetts, they will forever remain in a state of blissful slumber. Pioneer Institute has been a leading voice for open and accountable government in Massachusetts. Statements of Financial Interest, or SFIs for short, are a cornerstone of political ethics: All state and county officials, as well as political candidates, are required to annually disclose their private business associations and […]

Editorial Staff

Happy Thanksgiving from Pioneer Institute!

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Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family, share a traditional feast, and express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. We at Pioneer have much to be thankful for, most importantly for your trust in and support of the Institute.  We are also grateful for the opportunity to organize informative events, engage high-profile scholars and experts to develop new ideas and reforms, and advance public conversations on our most pressing policy challenges. In the coming months, keep an eye out for an exciting new documentary film raising awareness about the bigoted history behind opposition to school choice, the kickoff to our 2018 Better Government Competition (which, psst, is on college affordability), a book on how Massachusetts birthed the […]

MuckRock

Massachusetts towns reveal all the details of bids for Amazon’s second headquarters

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By Adanya Lustig Massachusetts towns are disclosing their bids for Amazon’s second headquarters, when many places across the country refuse to. Everywhere from Halifax, Canada to Los Angeles is vying for Amazon’s heart (and dollars) in the semi-public bidding war started in September, but many towns across the country won’t disclose what they’re offering Amazon in return for the second headquarters. The tech giant received 238 bids from North America, at least 26 of which came from Massachusetts. MuckRock is requesting copies of the bids from as many public entities across the country as they can, and receiving many rejections. However, Boston, Somerville, Worcester and Massachusetts made their proposals public proactively, and other Massachusetts towns have released copies of their […]

Editorial Staff

Moving the Needle on Healthcare Cost Containment & Reform

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Today, Pioneer Institute submitted recommendations to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Special Senate Committee on Health Care Cost Containment and Reform. Pioneer applauds provisions of the proposed legislation that would reduce emergency room use and re-admissions, expand scope of practice, and embrace telemedicine. The Committee should also be commended for looking to other states’ accomplishments in this area. But the current bill raises some concerns. In some instances, we believe it diminishes the potential for greater cost savings by adding unnecessary regulatory burdens. The projected savings relative to 2020 spending are quite modest, at less than 0.2 percent. The Medicaid buy-in program as it is presented is a radical change from the existing program structure – it will require more elaboration […]

Josh Beck

Underfunding OPEB – A Losing Strategy

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In addition to pensions, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its municipalities also provide their retirees with other post-employment benefits (OPEB), mostly in the form of retiree healthcare and life insurance. While these benefits have existed for many decades, the programs have not been sufficiently funded. As of June 2016, the best estimate is that the promised benefits are unfunded by $46.7 billion statewide. Public employees who reach 10 years of service are entitled to receive a predefined set of benefits upon retirement. State retirees are entitled to life insurance and 80 percent of their healthcare costs from retirement to age 65, at which point they are transitioned to Medicare. At age 65, jurisdictions also subsidize supplemental Medicare coverage.  The state […]

Editorial Staff

Join us 11/13: “Witnessing Hope: Cristo Rey Schools & Catholic Education”

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As the country is engaged in a national discussion about equality of educational opportunity, school choice, and religious freedom, join us at a public forum featuring nationally recognized experts on Catholic leadership and schooling, that will highlight a successful model of Catholic high school education. Date: November 13, 2017 Time: 8:30 am – 11:00 am Location: Omni Parker House Hotel, 60 School Street, Boston, MA Register Now  

Ciana Bonfiglioli

Everett on the Rise

/1 Comment/in , , , , , , , , , /by Ciana Bonfiglioli

This year, the City of Everett is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Since its founding, the city has evolved in a number of ways, and new challenges have accompanied the shifts in its character. Historically a largely industrial blue-collar town, Everett is increasingly becoming a first choice for young professionals seeking housing outside the skyrocketing prices of Boston proper. One of Everett’s main goals is linked to development—specifically, tapping into potential that hasn’t yet been utilized to overcome barriers such as the city’s isolation, issues with transit access, and slower rates of commercial and community development and re-development. Thus far, there are a number of positive signs about Everett’s effort to transform its weaker points into strengths in the areas listed […]

Editorial Staff

Is it time to expand water transportation in Greater Boston?

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A recent Pioneer Institute report explored the benefits of increased investment in the MBTA’s water-based public transportation service to meet the growing demand among commuters in Massachusetts’ coastal communities. In the brief video clip below, Pioneer Institute Research & Policy Associate Matt Blackbourn shares key findings from this report, which he co-authored with Pioneer Research Director Greg Sullivan, regarding ferry service performance and costs compared to other MBTA transit modes and peer agencies across the country. Click the button below to read the report, and the video player below that to watch the clip. Recent media coverage: This report received extensive media attention, including radio coverage on WGBH and WBUR. Click on the links below: The Boston Herald: “Study suggests […]