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COVID-19 Roundup from Pioneer: Tracking COVID-19 in MA, unemployment tsunami, cancel MCAS?, cell phone hygiene, salute to James Taylor, state tax filing & more!
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Pioneer staff share their top picks for COVID-19 stories highlighting useful resources, best practices, and questions we should be asking our public and private sector leaders.
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7 Tools to Keep Your Child Engaged in Math During COVID-19
Proven resources that every parent can and should make use of now and well beyond COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Roundup from Pioneer: How some countries are succeeding, Tips for maintenance staff safety, Shelter in place?, Equity in remote learning policies
Pioneer staff share their top picks for COVID-19 stories highlighting useful resources, best practices, and questions we should be asking our public and private sector leaders.
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Sunshine Week 2020 – When Government Transparency Is More Important Than Ever
COVID-19 has overshadowed what was supposed to be Sunshine Week, but vigilance on behalf of open government is even more crucial during times like these, when the public has limited access. But government transparency is important at all times. Each year during Sunshine Week, Pioneer reviews some of its recent work to increase public accountability in Massachusetts government.
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5 Book Series Parents Can Explore During COVID-19 School Closings
Looking for quality literature and books to share with your children while we’re all at home for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19? Here are some excellent options that will nurture a love for great classic literature and enduring historical figures:
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Accountability for casino revenue targets needs to be “in the cards”
Co-authored by Andrew Mikula and Greg Sullivan
Everett’s…
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MBTA must get “on board” with commuter rail accessibility upgrades
If you regularly ride the MBTA commuter rail, you’ve probably…
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MassDOT’s West Station design plans fall one track short
In 2014, MassDOT proposed the construction of West Station, a…
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Open Letter to MA Governor Charlie Baker Regarding Boston Commuters from Points West
In an Open Letter to the Massachusetts Governor, Pioneer Institutes presents its concerns about the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project, and its impact on those who will be most affected during the project’s construction
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In the past few years, the tobacco industry has thrived in Massachusetts. Here’s why.
Despite recent good news about declines in alcohol, traditional…
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Pioneer Institute’s Government Transparency Resolutions 2020
As we do each January, Pioneer shares the resolutions it hopes state leaders will adopt to bring government actions into better focus and invigorate our democracy with heightened public engagement.
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After nearly a decade of national economic growth, Worcester economy is still a mixed bag
In 2018, Worcester had 111,553 employees and 10,546 businesses.…
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Is Boston’s Health Care Industry Still Growing? Here’s What the Data Says.
From 1998 to 2018 in Massachusetts, employment in the Health…
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12 Reasons to Give Before the Clock Strikes 12!
Before the clock strikes 12:00 on December 31st, read our 12 great reasons to make a contribution or deepen your commitment to Pioneer Institute!
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Massachusetts Government Needs More Transparency on Financial Conflicts Of Interest
The Pioneer Institute recently released a new index rating the…
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Jason Bedrick on Religious Freedom & Private School Autonomy
Bob and Cara talk with Jason Bedrick, EdChoice’s director of policy, about New York’s controversial “substantial equivalency” proposal that would give the state Department of Education oversight of school curricula at yeshivas and other private and parochial academies.
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VIDEO: Reduce Carbon Emissions with Perq!
In the final video of a new three-part animated series, Pioneer Institute explores how the MBTA's commuter benefit program called Perq saves you money, lowers your tax burden, and shortens your commute - all while helping the planet.
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NH Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut on State-Driven K-12 Reform
New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut joins "The Learning Curve" podcast this week, plus Bob & Cara break down the new NAEP results, and share education stories out of Denver and Detroit.
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VIDEO: Attract & Retain Top Employees Through Perq!
In part two of a new three-part animated video series, Pioneer…
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VIDEO: Making a Difference Through METCO
A new video about the METCO program centers around the friendship between two Wayland High School students; one who lives in Wayland and the other from Boston. It also features interviews with METCO CEO Milly Arbaje-Thomas and Mabel Reid-Wallace, Director of Wayland's METCO program.
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MassAnalysis: Highest income towns per capita within average debt range or higher
Understanding debt limits
Municipalities issue debt to fund…
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Telecommuting Tax Credit Stands to Help Public Transportation
Governor Baker recently proposed a telecommuting tax credit that…
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MBTA Facilities in Desperate Need of Spending Increase
A number of MBTA facilities have deteriorated in recent years.…
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Signs of Growth in Several Gateway Cities
It’s safe to say that Boston is the economic hub of Massachusetts…
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MassAnalysis: What are the 10 towns with the highest local taxes per capita?
Massachusetts municipalities generate the bulk of their revenue…
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MBTA Struggles with Commuter Rail Ridership Count
Accurate ridership calculations are critical for public transportation…
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MBTA’s Bus Program Driving in the Wrong Direction
According to Pioneer Institute’s MBTAAnalysis.com, the MBTA’s…
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How Do Massachusetts’s State Pensions Compare with Their Peers?
For those who have kept up with Pioneer’s work on pensions,…
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No Clear Correlation Between Fare Revenue and Ridership
In recent weeks, many MBTA riders have expressed frustration…
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The Chancellor at this University Makes about 18.5 Times what an Average Employee at this Same University Makes…
According to MassOpenBooks, the average annual pay for UMass…