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Keeping Massachusetts Competitive: The Business Climate in Context
/0 Comments/in Economic Opportunity, News /by Editorial StaffThe Business Climate in Context Author(s): Steve Poftak — Publication date: 2010-09-16 Category: Economic Opportunity Abstract: Massachusetts is a state with many economic and competitive strengths, but policymakers, elected officials, and business leaders must not ignore its weaknesses. Massachusetts offers compelling advantages to companies looking to expand businesses or start new ones, but other states are chipping away at the state’s advantages in this area. Of equal concern is the fact that the state’s shortcomings–notably, the cost of doing business and an unfavorable and unpredictable tax environment–create a disadvantage when compared to many of the Commonwealth’s national and international economic competitors. [wpdm_package id=54]
Keeping MA Competitive
/0 Comments/in Blog, News /byPioneer and our partners at the Mass High Tech Council are kicking off a project today that will examine the tax environment in Massachusetts, how job creation has behaved over the same period, and how we stack up against competitor states. The project begins with a policy brief that ‘sets the table‘, examining Massachusetts in context with other states. Over the next week, I’ll be presenting data from the report on the blog. Please take a look at the piece and stay tuned for more.
My AM 8 Thoughts on Yesterday's Election
/0 Comments/in Blog, News /by1) Suzanne Bump’s resounding victory over Guy Glodis and Mike Lake has to be the surprise of the night. She came within 3000 votes of winning an outright majority. 2) Glodis only won his stronghold of Worcester by 1,359 votes (with pretty light turnout). Almost makes one wonder if someone in the firmament of Worcester political stars did not really deliver for Glodis. 3) On the topic of not delivering the vote, Stephen Murphy only beat Grossman by ~4000 votes in Boston. So, Murphy can manage 50,000 votes in the city in an off-year council race (where voters get four choices to be fair), yet less than half that in the Treasurer’s race. 4) I’m guessing that Suzanne Bump was […]
A picture tells one story about the recession
/0 Comments/in Blog, News /byCertainly, the pictures that matter most in the current recession are those of individuals trying to make ends meet and trying to find a way to stay afloat. That said, an image from our upcoming paper on the state’s business climate — and specifically on our tax competitiveness relative to other states — struck me as important to share. Massachusetts’ economy has been mauled by the global recession, though several observers have noted that, during the recession, Massachusetts is faring better than many other states. The image below depicts the overall number of unemployed in the state from December 2007 to July 2009. (Source) If doubling the unemployed population is better, then we are really in deep trouble. The image […]
The Tom Menino Endorsement Continuum
/0 Comments/in Blog, News /byGovernor Patrick is receiving Mayor Tom Menino’s endorsement this afternoon. It should not be surprising that a sitting Democratic governor would be endorsed by the sitting Democratic mayor of the state’s largest city and capital. But the relationship between Patrick and Menino has been frosty at times. As an example, recall the GOV’s effort to fire Dan Grabauskas, who got a full vote of confidence from Menino at the time. Again, take the names out and consider the roles — Democratic mayor extends himself on behalf of Republican bureaucrat in opposition to sitting Democratic governor. More recently, when asked to grade the GOV’s performance, Menino responded by giving him a ‘C’ for the first three years and a ‘B+’ more […]