Saturday, March 2, 2013
The governor is optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?
Gov. Deval Patrick is still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don't sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically damaging measure. The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution and outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor's new Web tools touting proposed transportation and education …
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Massachusetts is chock full of defense contractors, federal employees and federal program beneficiaries. Are you worried the U.S. budget sequester will hurt your family's finances?
The U.S. government has a week before its self-imposed sequestration deadline. If enacted, the across-the-board cuts to the federal budget could mean layoffs, decreased aid and lower government spending. That could mean trouble for some popular government programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. Defense contractors are also preparing for lost and reduced contracts with the government. Locally, it could also doom smaller programs that have a big impact. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families in need pay for home heating oil and other energy costs. Massachusetts stands to lose over $11 million in assistance under this one program alone. Representatives Ed Markey and Jim McGovern are trying to shield …
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tell us your opinion in the comments.
Representatives of several town boards will meet tonight at the Municipal Light Plant to discuss Wellesley’s “town-wide financial plan,” among other issues. The town-wide financial plan is essentially a way to keep the finances of the various boards and governmental organizations in Wellesley organized. It’s a plan to ensure boards have the finances they need. Hans Larsen, Wellesley’s executive director of general government, called the idea a “robust” plan, more so than ever, as it endeavors to look at financials up to five years in the future. However, as the plan was trotted out over the winter, there were some problems. There was confusion as to how the process would work among board leaders. There was even a heated exchange among …
42.2976
-71.29005
Wellesley Town Hall
525 Washington St, Wellesley, MA
/articles/question-of-the-day-will-the-town-wide-financial-plan-model-work
230390
/locations/4624230
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
School committee bends to pressure to reveal contract figures during the session.
Under pressure from Town Meeting members, the school committee released dollar figures regarding the recently settled teacher contracts at last night's session of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting. School Committee Chair KC Kato told Town Meeting that $746,000 will be devoted to steps and lanes for teachers, and $243,000 will go toward wage increases for the next two fiscal years, according to the new contract. These figures are part of a new two-year teachers’ contract that will offer teachers in steps 1 through 15 no raise for the first year of the contract, effective July 1. However, a new top step was created (16), and teachers and department heads at this benchmark will receive a 1 percent raise the first year. In year two, all teachers …
42.304498
-71.289046
Wellesley Middle School
50 Kingsbury St, Wellesley, MA
/articles/teacher-contract-dollar-amount-disclosed-at-town-meeting
230409
/locations/3841786
Natalie
11:42 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Most of us spend so much time coming up with reasons of overspending, 2% salary increase, Cadillac, etc. I bet these are only the tip of iceberg made public, the rest is deep of water level our eye can see. The generation of patriots is gone... we are left with a bunch of self-interest politicians to choose from. They are our gift to our children's future. p.s. I can't believe Obama is not taxing… more ›