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Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts

Author: Global Insight This study shows that, on average, Massachusetts firms have costs 20-30% higher than similar companies in Texas, North Carolina, and New Hampshire in nine key industries. As a result, average after-tax profit levels in those states are about twice as high as in Massachusetts. Doing business in nearby Rhode Island is also cheaper in most of these industries, leading to profit levels that are about 25% greater there. In fact, the only states in this study over which the Bay State has a competitive advantage are New Jersey and New York, where costs are typically 5% and 15% higher, respectively. Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts

Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts

Author: Global Insight This study shows that, on average, Massachusetts firms have costs 20-30% higher than similar companies in Texas, North Carolina, and New Hampshire in nine key industries. As a result, average after-tax profit levels in those states are about twice as high as in Massachusetts. Doing business in nearby Rhode Island is also cheaper in most of these industries, leading to profit levels that are about 25% greater there. In fact, the only states in this study over which the Bay State has a competitive advantage are New Jersey and New York, where costs are typically 5% and 15% higher, respectively. Measuring Up? The Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts

The Elephant in the Room: Unfunded Public Employee Health Care Benefits and GASB 45

Authors: Eric S. Berman, CPA, Deputy Comptroller, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Elizabeth K. Keating, CPA, Ph.D, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School, Harvard University This paper will review Statement 45’s potential impact on governments and review existing disclosures in financial reports as well as bond offering statements. The paper will discuss the Statement’s impact on budgets and governmental operations, including collective bargaining. Funding options under Statement 45 will be detailed, including the advantages and disadvan- tages of irrevocable trusts and OPEB bonds. The paper will also discuss the impact of Medicare Part D subsidies received by governments, as well as the bond rating implications of policy decisions surrounding OPEB. Finally, the paper will discuss case law that has already come […]

Leaving Money on the Table: The 106 Pension Funds of Massachusetts

Author: Ken Ardon The focus of this paper is the choice that local retirement boards have of managing their own investors or investing all or a portion of their assets in PRIT. Most local boards choose to retain control of their investments. In 2004, 55 out of the 104 local systems invested entirely on their own, 29 had some assets invested in PRIT or the PRIT seg- mentation program, and only 20 invested entirely with PRIT. Leaving Money on the Table: The 106 Pension Systems of Massachusetts Public Employee Benefits Series: Part 2

The Elephant in the Room: Unfunded Public Employee Health Care Benefits & GASB 45

Authors: Eric S. Berman, CPA, Deputy Comptroller, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Elizabeth K. Keating, CPA, Ph.D, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School, Harvard University This paper will review Statement 45’s potential impact on governments and review existing disclosures in financial reports as well as bond offering statements. The paper will discuss the Statement’s impact on budgets and governmental operations, including collective bargaining. Funding options under Statement 45 will be detailed, including the advantages and disadvan- tages of irrevocable trusts and OPEB bonds. The paper will also discuss the impact of Medicare Part D subsidies received by governments, as well as the bond rating implications of policy decisions surrounding OPEB. Finally, the paper will discuss case law that has already come […]