FRAMINGHAM, MA – Each year the Massachusetts Commissioner of Revenue produces “estimates” of how much state aid each city and town will get for the upcoming fiscal year, (along with any assessments which reduce aid payment from the state).

Known as the “cherry sheet” for the color of paper it was originally printed on, the state now publishes these state aid estimates online.

Below is an HTML version of the cherry sheet for Framingham for fiscal Year 2011, (it was published by the state on July 1, 2010).

The first page lists estimated receipts, (state aid to be paid to Framingham); …[read more]

FRAMINGHAM, MA – For residents and local planning and zoning officials in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, the battle is on for affordable housing.

More than the battle to buy, rent or obtain affordable housing, the battle over “What really is affordable housing?” and how much of it should be built, along with where, when, why and how it should be built — and “On who’s terms?” are what is in dispute.

Neither side is saying affordable housing is bad.  In fact both sides appear to be advocating responsible development of affordable housing in Massachusetts.

So, what is 40B ?…

Officially known as “The Regional Planning Law“, Massachusetts General Law, (M.G.L.), Chapter 40B contains …[read more]

BOSTON, MA – Between June 1st and July 7th Emily Rooney sat and talked with the four candidates running in the 2010 Massachusetts Gubernatorial Race.

Rooney who hosts the PBS nightly news program Greater Boston is a seasoned reporter, editor and on-air personality with decades of experience in Massachusetts politics.

Video clips of each segment appear below in the order they aired.

This round of interviews appear somewhat informal — a “talk show” atmosphere, with not very hard questions — something that will likely change as the political season heats up heading towards November.

Democratic Governor Duval Patrick lead off the series and was given …[read more]

MASSACHUSETTS – On November 2, 2010, the people of Massachusetts will elect their next Governor. Four candidates have made it onto the ballot; Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker, Jill Stein and Tim Cahill.

The table below provides additional information about the candidates and their Lieutenant Governor hopeful running mates. We have also provided political party affiliation, links to campaign websites, as well as each candidate’s respective state and national party websites, (for those who are …[read more]

BOSTON, MA – In a televised press conference today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Obama administration had approved the Cape Winds project which could result in 130 electricity generating win turbines being placed in Nantucket Sound off the shores of Cape Cod.

The project which has been debated for almost a decade draws a lot of criticism from Cape residents and even from some environmentalists who believe the project will detract from the natural marine beauty of the coastal area. …[read more]