What's happening today
Following yesterday's taxi protest against ride-sharing services, the Uber debate continues on the South Shore as local Uber riders, partners and business owners will join members of the community ahead of a licensing board hearing on Uber and other ride-sharing companies and their operations in the town, Braintree Town Hall, 1 John F Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, 1:30pm... The first hearing in a case challenging the state's ban on business contributions to parties, candidates and political committees will take place in Suffolk Superior Court, Three Pemberton Square, Boston, 2:00pm... Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend National Night Out at Fuller Park in Worcester, 104 Murray Ave., Worcester, 5:30pm.
A revenue bonanza around the bend?
The failed Olympic bid succeeded in whetting the public's appetite to actually do something about the Commonwealth's state of disrepair. It is now accepted as a fact that public transportation here is an embarrassment compared to most cities in Boston's peer group -- certainly New York, Washington and San Francisco. And many are convinced it is wishful thinking at best to believe the T and our already clogged highways will be improved to meet the needs of our growing economy without a significant investment. The T may run much better next year, but if we're looking at basically the same infrastructure in 15 years, we're in trouble.
If we're going to think big about transportation, there has to be money behind it. If my math is correct, there's a good chance an additional $2 billion or so will be coming in from new sources in the next few years. First casino revenue is estimated at about $400 million annually when (and if) all the sites are operating. If Congress enables an Internet sales tax, Massachusetts is looking at $150 million to $200 million per year. Then there's the new movement to create a millionaire surtax, putting the rate at 9 percent or so for income over $1 million. The additional revenue from the millionaire surtax could easily approach $1.4 billion. That adds up to about $2 billion from poor people, rich people, and shoppers. Even this amount of new money could easily get consumed by the gnawing needs in the state budget, especially, health care and unfunded liabilities. But the question is whether political forces will continue to gather to make transportation a priority. The seeds are being sown for the money to fund ambitious planning to materialize.
By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan
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What's happening today
Following yesterday's taxi protest against ride-sharing services, the Uber debate continues on the South Shore as local Uber riders, partners and business owners will join members of the community ahead of a licensing board hearing on Uber and other ride-sharing companies and their operations in the town, Braintree Town Hall, 1 John F Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, 1:30pm... The first hearing in a case challenging the state's ban on business contributions to parties, candidates and political committees will take place in Suffolk Superior Court, Three Pemberton Square, Boston, 2:00pm... Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend National Night Out at Fuller Park in Worcester, 104 Murray Ave., Worcester, 5:30pm.
A revenue bonanza around the bend?
The failed Olympic bid succeeded in whetting the public's appetite to actually do something about the Commonwealth's state of disrepair. It is now accepted as a fact that public transportation here is an embarrassment compared to most cities in Boston's peer group -- certainly New York, Washington and San Francisco. And many are convinced it is wishful thinking at best to believe the T and our already clogged highways will be improved to meet the needs of our growing economy without a significant investment. The T may run much better next year, but if we're looking at basically the same infrastructure in 15 years, we're in trouble.
If we're going to think big about transportation, there has to be money behind it. If my math is correct, there's a good chance an additional $2 billion or so will be coming in from new sources in the next few years. First casino revenue is estimated at about $400 million annually when (and if) all the sites are operating. If Congress enables an Internet sales tax, Massachusetts is looking at $150 million to $200 million per year. Then there's the new movement to create a millionaire surtax, putting the rate at 9 percent or so for income over $1 million. The additional revenue from the millionaire surtax could easily approach $1.4 billion. That adds up to about $2 billion from poor people, rich people, and shoppers. Even this amount of new money could easily get consumed by the gnawing needs in the state budget, especially, health care and unfunded liabilities. But the question is whether political forces will continue to gather to make transportation a priority. The seeds are being sown for the money to fund ambitious planning to materialize.
indal attacks Sanctuary City officials; Somerville mayor fires back
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal said mayors of sanctuary cities should be arrested as accessories for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, sparking a brouhaha with Somerville mayor Joseph Curtatone. Jindal made his remarks on Boston Herald Radio, and Curtatone later appeared on the outlet saying Jindal's remarks were a ploy to rise in the presidential polls. http://bit.ly/1KNzcww
And what about a Sanctuary State? The Herald says some lawmakers are "quietly pushing" legislation that would offer undocumented immigrants across the state the types of protections found in so-called sanctuary cities. The bill -- filed by Rep. Byron Rushing and scheduled for its first hearing in September -- would prohibit state agencies from sharing information about immigrants with federal officials unless compelled by a court. It would also ensure those immigrants have access to state benefits and public assistance. Rushing said the bill would help put immigrants on the path to legal status, but critics said it would attract illegal immigrants to the state with the guarantee of public handouts. "I think this would be devastating to Massachusetts in many ways," GOP Rep. Shauna O'Connell told the Herald. http://bit.ly/1M2hCDB
Mass eyes criminal justice system reform
Leaders from all three branches of state government have agreed to ask for an outside review of the state's criminal justice policies, hoping to reduce recidivism and corrections costs while enhancing public safety. CommonWealth 's Michael Jonas reports that Massachusetts will join 30 other states that have been reviewed through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which is jointly funded by the Justice Department and the Pew Center on the States. A team of experts will be dispatched to Massachusetts to conduct a six-to-nine month review before making suggestions for policy changes, CommonWealth reports. The request-signed by the two legislative leaders as well as Gov. Baker and the head of the state's court system-asks that particular attention be paid to reducing the state's recidivism rates, which now stand at 40 percent after three years and 60 percent after six years. Other states have been able to shave corrections budgets and redirect more funds into treatment following the reviews. "We have a lot we can do while people are in prison, while they're in jail, and there's a ton we should be doing to help with reentry," said Baker. "I think it can be really helpful." http://bit.ly/1IIr65U
Judge in Wynn suit scolds Boston's tactics
The Suffolk Superior Court judge overseeing the lawsuit between the city of Boston and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission over Steve Wynn's Everett casino blasted the Walsh administration's use of court proceedings on Monday, the Globe reports. Judge Janet L. Sanders said Boston ran afoul of court rules when it filed documents last month listing what the city's lawyers claimed were "bad faith" actions and "improper behavior'' in the Everett licensing process, saying those matters were not properly before the court. "These pleadings were wholly unrelated to the matter scheduled for hearing,'' Sanders wrote. "The pleadings were entirely improper.'' Sanders' order -- which also rendered confidential widely reported on documents the city submitted -- is the second talking-to-though-court-filings aimed at Walsh and city in as many weeks, following a stern rebuke from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz in a related case. http://bit.ly/1P0ZVEq |
How to reach me and MASSterList
Nothing makes me happier than comments, tips, suggestions. Also, opinion articles also will be considered. Please don't hesitate to weigh in on what we're missing and where we should look. Reach me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com or on Twitter @geodonnelly.
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