Thursday, May 9, 2013
Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.
A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?
Susan Jacobs is a partner at the law firm Volterra, Goldberg & Jacobs.
An Easton woman who works as an attorney at a law firm in Attleboro has been nominated by Gov. Deval Patrick to be an associate justice on the Probate and Family Court, Norfolk County Division. Susan Jacobs' nomination was announced Wednesday. The governor's council will determine whether to approve the nomination. Jacobs has been a partner at the firm Volterra, Goldberg & Jacobs since 1989 with a general litigation practice focused for the last 10 years on domestic relations, according to Patrick's announcement. "Jacobs was one of the leaders in starting a successful conciliation program in the Bristol County Probate and Family Court," states the announcement on Patrick's website. "She received the 2012 Pro Bono Publico award from the …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Do you wonder what the "sequester" will mean for Massachusetts? A White House report gives examples of where federal aid would be cut.
More than $91 million in federal funds cut from numerous programs in Massachusetts if Congress fails to act this week to avoid the sequester, the Obama Administration said Sunday. In a move designed to pressure Republicans into accepting new taxes on the wealthy as part of a deal to prevent the sequester from taking effect Friday, the White House released reports that outlined how those cuts would impact individual states, The Huffington Post reported. Here are some examples of what's on the local chopping block, according to the report: After the reports were released, congressional Republicans criticized the Obama administration for the PR move, The Huffington Post reported. “Rather than issuing last-minute press releases on cuts to …
Monday, February 25, 2013
No new law was needed. It came naturally.
Attleboro can now receive the benefits of increased funding for education and development from the state through its Gateway Cities program. The state's Executive Department Office of Housing and Economic Development announced Monday the city qualifies for the program because the median household income in Attleboro fell below the Massachusetts average of $65,981. State Rep. Betty Poirier and former state Rep. George Ross attempted to qualify Attleboro for the program last year by modifying the standards for inclusion. Their proposal was approved by both houses of the state legislature, but rejected by Gov. Deval Patrick. Attleboro and Plainville, which the state also announced Monday had become a Gateway City, join 24 other communities in…
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?
All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Markey is in, Lynch set to make an announcement Thursday and Brown reportedly considering throwing his hat into the race following Tuesday's nomination of John Kerry as secretary of state.
Following the Tuesday confirmation of John Kerry as secretary of state, the field is opening with people vying for his U.S. Senate seat. But before that even happens an interim senator has to be named. Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday announced his former chief of staff William "Mo" Cowan will be the interim senator and will serve until the voters choose a replacement in the June 25 special election. Patch reported in December that Cowan, a Stoughton resident, would be stepping down this month and returning to the private sector. In addition to being Patrick's former chief of staff, Cowan served as his chief legal counsel. He has been a part of the Patrick administration since 2009. "I am proud and delighted to appoint Mo Cowan as interim…
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
John Kerry will replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
With only three dissenting votes, the U.S. Senate has confirmed John Kerry as the new Secretary of State. Kerry will take over for Hillary Clinton, who is leaving her post after four years. The move means Kerry will have to resign as Massachusetts' senior senator. According to a Tweet from WCVB political reporter Janet Wu, Kerry's resignation has reportedly been sent to Gov. Deval Patrick and is effective as of 4 p.m. Friday. U.S. Congressman Ed Markey, D-MA, has announced he is running for the seat. U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch, D-MA has hinted that he may run. Former United States Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) is the leading Republican candidate, but he hasn't announced that he will run after losing losing to Elizabeth Warren in …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled legislation on Wednesday that would tighten gun control laws in Massachusetts while increasing funding for mental health services and enhance background checks. Is this sensible, or reactionary?
Are new proposed laws regarding guns in Massachusetts and mental health services sensible and pragmatic steps, or reactionary measures that won't increase safety? Gov. Deval Patrick introduced new legislation Wednesday along those lines in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, CT. "I am encouraged by the palpable consensus in our Legislature that the time for action is now. All of us must pull in the same direction to bring about real change in this state and across the country," Patrick said in a press release. The bill would require gun purchasers to undergo background checks at gun shows, reduce access to high-powered rounds of ammunition, and limit licensed individuals to purchasing a maximum of one gun per month. Punishments …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tell us: do you think we need to increase taxes to strengthen education and transportation?
In his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed raising the state's income tax by 1 percentage point and lowering the sales tax to pay for $2 billion in transportation improvements and early childhood education programs. "There is no good time to raise taxes. I know how tough the times have been on the people and families of the Commonwealth. And though the worst of the recession is over, many, many families still face tough decisions and have deep anxiety about the future. I would not ask if I did not believe in my heart that investing meaningfully today in education and transportation will significantly improve our economic tomorrows," Patrick said. Patrick said he wanted a more fair and …
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Congressman Stephen Lynch is deciding on whether to run for John Kerry's Senate set.
Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch said he is definitely considering running for John Kerry's senate seat. Lynch was on the Joe Ligotti Show on WTKK Radio Saturday afternoon and said he would be honored to be a Senator. Kerry has been nominated by President Barack Obama to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and is expected to be confirmed. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to appoint an interim Senator until a special election can be held. The Boston Herald is reporting Barney Frank is the leading candidate for the interim position. Frank didn't seek reelection to Congress after redistricting was finalized. Instead, he announced his retirement. Patrick has said he isn't interested in the position. Massachusetts Attorney …
Ken B.
6:14 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
"Clean energy" like $58 million down the toilet for Evergreen Solar ? more ›