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American Citizenship, Data Labs, Opportunity
July 30, 2025

From the City on a Hill to a Shrouded Statehouse: Massachusetts' Push for Government Accountability

Once seen as a city upon a hill, Massachusetts, the first state with a public viewing gallery for its Legislature faces persistent concerns about lack of government transparency. Data on Statements of Financial Interest (SFIs) from US DataLabs highlights those concerns and emphasizes the need for accountability. 
American Citizenship, Transportation
November 20, 2020

Contracting with private providers could avert MBTA cuts

In response to a collapse in MBTA service in the winter of 2015, the newly formed Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) set the authority on a course of bold reforms. The COVID-19 pandemic is once again presenting new and significant challenges to T leadership that require a rethinking of how service is delivered to stave off painful service cuts.
American Citizenship, Opportunity
March 15, 2019

Coastal Towns Charge the Most Permit Fees Per Capita in Massachusetts

One of the ways local governments raise revenue is by requiring permits and licenses for various activities. Occupational licensing laws, which require a series of tests, education, and fees before someone can enter certain professions, are administered at the state level. However,...
American Citizenship, Education, Opportunity
February 14, 2019

Guess What Massachusetts Public Employee Earns Over $1 Million

The State Comptroller’s Office makes available annual salary information for all Massachusetts public employees. Before the state established a website to provide such transparency, Pioneer Institute launched Mass Open Books, which allows the public to anonymously peruse information regarding state finances, pension...
American Citizenship, Opportunity
July 18, 2018

Not signed, sealed, delivered

Even the casual observer has probably heard that Massachusetts is the only state without a signed annual budget. The start of July signals the beginning of a new fiscal year for all but four state governments. But now, more than halfway through...
American Citizenship, Opportunity
July 17, 2018

Troop F Gets an A: State Auditor Overlooks DSP Corruption, Neglects Audits

The Office of the State Auditor’s (OSA’s) website describes our current auditor, Suzanne Bump, as “the chief accountability officer for state government in Massachusetts and its residents.” The OSA’s enabling statute requires the department to audit all 700 departments and organizations of...
American Citizenship, Opportunity
January 25, 2017

Auditing the New Transparency Law: Where are the Records Access Officers?

With the advent of the Baker administration, Massachusetts transparency advocates were optimistic that the statute governing public records requests would be among the laws targeted for overhaul.  The optimism proved somewhat warranted as the legislature and Governor Baker were able to reach...
American Citizenship, Opportunity
August 11, 2016

DCAMM Leasing Responds to Agency Needs

The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) is a state agency tasked with, among other responsibilities, managing workspace for state employees. This role encompasses the administration of state office buildings, but also includes the management of the Commonwealth’s leases of...
Opportunity, Transportation
July 22, 2016

Update on the State of the Green Line Extension

The idea for the Green Line Extension (GLX) has been around for years, and its potential benefits have led many to call it a critical economic and environmental infrastructure project. So, when the first phase of construction began in 2012, it was...
American Citizenship, Opportunity
April 30, 2015

Former Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis to Keynote 2015 Better Government Awards Gala

Former Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis to Keynote 2015 Better Government Awards Gala 35-Year Law Enforcement Veteran to Address Criminal Justice Reform and Public Safety at June 24th Awards Dinner Edward F. Davis, security consultant and former Boston police commissioner, will deliver...