Category Archives: Massachusetts

Don’t Forget to Vote!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

There’s a US Senate primary today, and it’s contested in both parties. My thoughts on the Democratic side here.

Posted in Massachusetts, Voting | 1 Comment

Massachusetts Dems: On Tuesday, Vote Markey

Posted on April 29, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Given the bombings and their aftermath, most people probably don’t realize there’s a U.S. Senate primary in Massachusetts on Tuesday (I had forgotten until late last week and I follow this stuff). For what it’s worth (probably only my vote…), … Continue reading →

Posted in Democrats, Massachusetts | 1 Comment

Taxes and Massachusetts: Let’s Look at the One Percent

Posted on March 22, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

So Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has proposed a $1.9 billion spending plan, about which I’ll say more late. The short version is that I think it’s good overall, but it only partially restores many of the Romney cuts in social … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Taxes | 1 Comment

An Inalienable Right to Not Be Insulted By Public Servants?

Posted on February 23, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Having lived in a few states, I find that the Massachusetts Legislature is actually one of the more competent legislative bodies in the U.S. Mind you, that’s mostly damning with faint praise. Nonetheless, we are typically spared the routine legislative … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, WhatEVAH! | 4 Comments

States, Sales Taxes, and Consumption: When Saving Isn’t an Option

Posted on February 13, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

There are days I really am glad I live in Massachusetts. We read in the NY Times that, in many Republican-governed states, there is a movement to shift the tax burden from corporations, estates, and income to sales taxes. Yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservatives, Massachusetts, Taxes | 1 Comment

Massachusetts’ Loss Is Planned Parenthood’s Gain

Posted on February 2, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

This week I received this email from Massachusetts state representative Martha (‘Marty’) Walz: I’m writing today to let you know I will resign from the House of Representatives in mid-February to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Democrats, Massachusetts | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ Loss Is Planned Parenthood’s Gain

Aaron Swartz: Politics, Governships, and Following the Potential Money

Posted on January 15, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

No, this post is not a posthumous dig at activist Aaron Swartz. But one thing to remember about all of this is that U.S. District Attorney Carmen Ortiz is viewed as a possible Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate–and is viewed very favorably … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Massachusetts | 4 Comments

TIMMS, Alabama, and Massachusetts: States Matter

Posted on December 13, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Yesterday I argued that, if we want a good national educational policy, rather than ‘reform’, we should just have other states copy what Massachusetts does. When it comes to education, the completely unacknowledged issue is the state-to-state gap. Until we … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Massachusetts | Comments Off on TIMMS, Alabama, and Massachusetts: States Matter

Instead of Racing to Tops or Not Leaving Children Behind, Why Don’t We Just Clone What Massachusetts Has Done?

Posted on December 12, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

The 2011 TIMMS international scholastic test results are out (I’ve written about TIMMS results before). I’ll have more to say about the results later–the Alabama–Massachusetts comparisons, my favorite*, are devastating. But, as a first pass, it’s worth noting that, once … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Massachusetts, Mathematics | 6 Comments

Implementing Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts

Posted on November 16, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

In the 2012 election, Massachusetts passed a ballot question calling for the legalization of medical marijuana (and yes, it’s depressing that passed, but an assisted suicide law did not. Priorities…). As I noted the last time a marijuana-related ballot question … Continue reading →

Posted in Drugs, Housing, Massachusetts | 2 Comments