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American Citizenship, Opportunity, Pioneer Legal
February 1, 2019

After Janus, Public Employers Must Obtain Informed Consent Before Collecting Union Dues or Agency Fees

This reports explains that in most cases a written waiver is sufficient for employees to have union dues or agency fees deducted from their paychecks.  The employee must be made aware of his or her right not to pay, and must not feel coerced or pressured to sign the waiver.
American Citizenship, Opportunity, Transportation
February 1, 2019

Massachusetts’ Skyrocketing Unfunded Pension Liability

Despite several reform bills targeted at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s public pension system in recent years, the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) has continued to rise and is drawing closer to a crisis level.
Education, Opportunity
February 1, 2019

Where Do Teacher Union Dues Go? Public Higher Education in Massachusetts

Only a small share of annual union dues paid by faculty at the University of Massachusetts, state colleges and universities and community college campuses that make dues data publicly available remain with local union affiliates to cover the costs of collective bargaining and grievance procedures.
Opportunity, Transportation
November 26, 2018

What Ever Happened to Flagger Reform?

The unusual way in which Massachusetts determines prevailing wages and the fact that civilian flaggers are subject to state prevailing wage law explain why a 2008 law that ended the Commonwealth’s status as the only state to require police at road construction projects has failed to generate substantial savings.
American Citizenship, Opportunity
November 14, 2018

Where Do Teacher Union Dues Go?

Just 16 percent of dues paid by the average member of a union affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) actually goes to their local association, while the remaining 84 percent flows to the state (MTA) and national (National Education Association) organizations.
American Citizenship, Opportunity
May 4, 2018

Special Legislative Commission On Public Records

Mary Z. Connaughton provides public testimony to a special legislative commission regarding public records.
Opportunity
January 25, 2018

Back to Taxachusetts? Lessons from Connecticut

This report urges proponents of a 2018 statewide ballot initiative that would add a surcharge on the state taxes of those earning over $1 million annually to look at the experience of Connecticut, where multiple rounds of tax hikes aimed at high earners triggered an exodus of large employers and high-earning individuals that resulted in declining tax revenue.
Opportunity, Transportation
January 24, 2018

Increasing MBTA Ridership and Revenue with Company Commuter Benefit Programs

This report illustrates that increased use of employer-sponsored commuter benefit programs could boost MBTA revenue significantly, reduce employee commuting costs, provide employer savings, reduce traffic congestion and yield environmental benefits.
Opportunity, Transportation
September 1, 2017

Is it time to expand water transportation in Greater Boston?

A comprehensive study of the MBTA ferry service’s performance as a transit mode and how it compares to other ferry operators nationwide offers useful insights for policy discussion on future water transportation in Massachusetts Bay, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.
Opportunity, Transportation
June 5, 2017

The Bombshell Cheiron Report: The MBTA Just Got A $1.485 Billion Pension Bill That It Can’t Possibly Pay

This report asserts that with the current MBTA pension agreement set to expire in June 2018 and a new evaluation projecting a $1.485 billion increase in retirement costs over the next 18 years under terms of the current agreement, the T’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) should take immediate action to protect the authority’s precarious finances.