massachusetts

Stage Is Set: Markey,Gomez to Face Off For US Senate

Associated Press — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:17:40 +0000

BOSTON (AP) — Businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez and veteran U.S. Rep. Edward Markey will face each other in a special election in Massachusetts for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by John Kerry.

Congressional Corner with Tim Vercellotti

Alan Chartock — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:50:00 +0000

The special election primaries in Massachusetts are just a few days away.

In today’s Congressional Corner, Tim Vercellotti, director of the Western New England University poll and professor of political science, tells WAMC’s Alan Chartock that it’s still unclear what impact the Boston Marathon bombings will have on the race.

Report: Closing Skills Gap is Key to Economic Growth in Mass.

Lucas Willard — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:31:22 +0000

A recently released report in Massachusetts analyzed and made recommendations on how to address the growing skills gap in education and workforce.

The report is titled Closing the Massachusetts Skills Gap: Recommendations and Action Steps, and is published by the Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public organization within the state’s Executive Office of Labor of Workforce Development.

AP UPDATE: Police: MIT Suspect Tied To Boston Marathon Bomb

Jaired Crofut — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:57:30 +0000

Authorities say one of two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing is dead and a massive manhunt is underway for another.

Residents of the Boston suburb of Watertown have been advised to keep their doors locked and not let anyone in.

Dr. Jessica Stern, Hoover Institution - The blueprints of terror and finding the culprits

Brian Shields — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:57:32 +0000

You won’t find Inspire magazine on your local newsstand, but an article in that publication may have been the blueprint for the bombings in Boston.

Ideas Matter: Checking in with the Public Humanities

Joe Donahue — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:35:00 +0000

We are very happy to be kicking off a new regular feature on the Roundtable entitled - Ideas Matter: Checking in with the Public Humanities. It is our chance to check in with the Humanities Councils throughout our 7-State area to discuss important ideas and why they do indeed matter.

We welcome: Pleun Bouricius - Assistant Director of Mass Humanities. Before that she managed the Women, Enterprise, and Society project at Baker Library at Harvard Business School; and taught in the History and Literature, and Women’s Studies Programs at Harvard University and the Harvard Extension School.

Also joining us is Sara Ogger. Sara joined the staff of the New York Council for the Humanities in March 2002 as Grants Officer. She was appointed Executive Director in April 2007 after a successful effort to secure state funding. Before coming to the Council, Sara was an assistant professor of German at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Business Community Worried About Rising Healthcare Costs in Massachusetts

Lucas Willard — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:03:31 +0000

In an article recently published by the Wall Street Journal, Massachusetts is the state with the highest per-capita expenditure on healthcare, with the average individual paying more than $9,200 a year on health care costs. Expenses taken into account include emergency care, physician visits, nursing home care, prescription drugs, dental care, and other categories.

Mass. Lawmakers Begin Debate on Legislative Leaders' Transportation Plan

Lucas Willard — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:49:13 +0000

The transportation funding plan unveiled by Democratic leaders in the Massachusetts state legislature has been met with a mixed response, with Democratic Governor Deval Patrick threatening to veto the plan if certain objectives aren’t met and House Republicans criticizing the plan for raising taxes without making other reforms to government.

And lawmakers in the Berkshires seem to be equally as divided on supporting the plan introduced by House Speaker Robert Deleo and Senate President Therese Murray, both Democrats, last week.

Boston Globe's Michael Levenson - The life and political legacy of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino

Patrick Donges — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:13:07 +0000

President Barack Obama was just one of several elected officials who praised the work of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino as he announced this past Thursday that he would not seek re-election after 20 years as the chief executive of Massachusetts’ capitol city.

Mass. to see drop in medical claims costs

Jaired Crofut — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:42:08 +0000

Medical claims costs are expected to soar in many states under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Massachusetts is an exception.

A new study by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts, the Society of Actuaries, has found that medical claims costs — the biggest driver of health insurance premiums — will jump an average 32 percent for Americans' individual policies.

The report concluded the overwhelming majority will see double-digit increases in their individual health insurance markets where people purchase coverage directly from insurers.