Using municipalities' experiences during the Great Recession, a new policy brief examines the likely impact of COVID-19 on local property taxes, as well as political implications for state aid. We list the municipal revenues by category among the least tax-reliant communities in MA, show the trajectory of tax revenue growth rate in Massachusetts state and local governments, and rank stabilization fund assets per capita among Massachusetts Gateway Cities.

This report updates a 2006 study of 14 Massachusetts cities with populations of more than 40,000 and average per-capita annual incomes of below $25,000 (Pittsfield is the one city in the study in which per-capita income is greater than $25,000). It provides a report card on how these Middle Cities are faring a decade after our last analysis, in terms of economic development, financial administration, education, and public safety. The aim is to inform the current policy discourse on redevelopment strategies in these important cities to identify municipalities and policy approaches that may serve as models for all Middle Cities.

There is emerging academic literature on the topic of government contracting and outsourcing. This paper does not seek to examine outsourcing from an academic perspective, however, but rather seeks to be a practitioner's guide to the issue. In doing so, this paper outlines important managerial and political considerations that may help leaders evaluate the potential of outsourcing services.

This study is limited to identifying which Middle City districts stand out in terms of improving MCAS scores or reducing the dropout rate. The research is not designed to identify the reasons why a certain district outperforms other districts. The work only considers achievement and dropout data in the analysis; it does not utilize any qualitative data about curriculum and instruction in the Middle Cities districts.

Ashburnham - Westminster Animal Control Agreement

Somerset - Swansea Animal Control Agreement

Holbrook GIC Consolidation Agreement

Amesbury, Salisbury, and Newburyport Public Health Agreement

Attleboro - North Attleborough Water Agreement

The Middle Cities Initiative seeks to help the Commonwealth's older cities, which face economic, demographic, and political challenges. These challenges cover a wide range of issues—entrenched political cultures, significant infrastructure costs, underperforming schools, struggling retail and manufacturing sectors, crime, and poorly targeted state programs. The Initiative's goal is to develop and disseminate concrete policies to help the Middle Cities grow.