Is Massachusetts Bad for Business?

Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.

  A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?

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Chris Noonan Funnell

7:14 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Great talk was given on this topic last night at Greater Boston Tea Party/Medford. See my blog post "New Jobs for Massachusetts" on the Medford Patch   more ›

Mass. Tax Plans: Too Much, Too Soon? Or Too Little, Too Slow?

Should the state forge ahead with Gov. Deval Patrick's bold plan to invest now? Or should it follow the Legislature leadership's proposal to address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives?

Massachusetts legislators this week answered Gov. Deval Patrick's ambitious plan to raise $1.9 billion for transportation and education with a $500 million plan of their own, which says the governor is asking for too much, too soon as the Bay State shakes off the effects of the Great Recession. Who's right? Should the state forge ahead in a bold plan to invest now? Or should it cautiously address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives? While Patrick's plan includes funding for both the state transportation system and increased education funding from preschool through college, House and Senate lawmakers eschew new revenue for education, focusing solely on closing the transportation budget gap over the next five years. The …

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Andrew Sylvia

9:26 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Bottom left of the page under "About Patch"   more ›

Most Read Stories on Melrose Patch in March: Deval Patrick Visits City

Check out the top 10 most-read stories on Melrose Patch in March.

Check out the top 10 most-read stories on Melrose Patch in March:

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Deval Patrick Files $13.7B Transportation Bond Bill

The transportation bond bill would provide funding for modernization and maintenance of the transportation system.

Governor Deval Patrick filed a transportation bond bill Wednesday that will finance an ambitious 10-year plan to overhaul the state’s ailing transportation system. The bill would invest $13.7 billion over 10 years in The 21st Century Transportation Plan “The Way Forward” if it is accepted by the state’s legislature, according to a press statement from the governor’s office. The funding would address a backlog of deferred maintenance and strategically improve the state’s transportation system by reducing congestion on roads, curbing delays and minimizing crowding on trains and buses, according to the press statement. “These investments will create the jobs and opportunity today that will build a stronger Commonwealth for tomorrow,” Patrick …

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Week in Review: Governor Visits Melrose, City Makes Safest Cities List

A look at some of the top stories on Melrose Patch this week.

Here is a look at some of the top stories on Melrose Patch this week: Governor: Investing in Early Education Important [VIDEO]: Governor Deval Patrick met with educators and children at the Franklin Early Childhood Center Friday afternoon in Melrose. Construction Begins on Melrose High School Science Labs: With the asbestos abatement work completed, construction of the Melrose High School science labs began this week, according to City Planner Denise Gaffey. New Pope Francis I Elected: Catholics in Melrose Area React: The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signalling that the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church. Melrose area Catholics responded. Melrose Makes Top 100 …

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Governor Visits Franklin Early Childhood Center in Melrose [PHOTOS]

Governor Deval Patrick met with educators and children at the Franklin Early Childhood Center in Melrose Friday afternoon.

Governor Deval Patrick met with educators and children at the Franklin Early Childhood Center in Melrose Friday afternoon. Patrick was visiting the school to discuss the importance of investments in early education. Check out our photo gallery to see images from the governor's visit to the school.

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Will Patrick's $1.9 Billion Tax Hike Pass?

The governor's optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?

  Governor Deval Patrick's 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 to 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 …

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What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

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Gov. Patrick Names William 'Mo' Cowan Interim Senator

Markey is in, Lynch set to make an announcement Thursday and Brown reportedly considering throwing his hat into the race following Tuesday’s nomination of John Kerry as Secretary of State.

With Tuesday's official nomination of U.S. Senator John Kerry to the post of Secretary of State, the field is opening up with folks vying for Kerry's seat in his unexpired term in the U.S. Senate. But before that even happens an interim senator has to be named. On Wednesday, Governor Deval Patrick announced his former chief of staff William “Mo” Cowan will be the interim senator and will serve until a new senator is elected in the June 25 special election. Patch reported in December that Cowan, a Stoughton resident, would be stepping down this month and returning to the private sector. Besides being Patrick’s former chief of staff, Cowan also served as chief legal counsel to Governor Patrick, having served in the Patrick-Murray …

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