An agency where patronage is job one – The state Probation Department once set the standard for the nation in rehabilitating criminals. But nine years ago the Legislature freed it from meaningful oversight, and the results were predictable: budgets soared, and the welcome mat was out for hundreds of job seekers with political juice. 5-23-10
Health Insurers Seeking Rate Hike -“Patrick last month said the state Division of Insurance would review rate increases exceeding 4.8 percent as part of a broader effort to rein in health care expenses. If the insurers’ latest round of increases is rejected, it would mark the first time Massachusetts has capped health insurance rates.” 3-6-10
House Approves $35m Loan to Help Lawrence Stay Solvent – “The Massachusetts House approved a $35 million rescue plan yesterday to save the struggling city of Lawrence from financial collapse. Supporters said the bill – which passed, 101 to 56, after several hours of bitter debate – will prevent one of the state’s poorest cities from running out of money this spring, threatening its critical police, fire, and municipal services.” 3-4-10
Runaway Health Costs are Rocking Municipal Budgets – “A six-month review by the Globe found that municipal health plans, which cover employees, retirees, and elected officials, provide benefit levels largely unheard of in the private sector. Copays are much lower. Some communities do not force retirees onto Medicare at age 65. Many citizens on elected boards – some after serving as few as six years – receive coverage for life, too.” 2-28-10
Unions Safeguard Health Benefits – “But organized labor, fiercely protective of its members, has largely refused to budge, resisting local efforts to transfer more health care costs to workers and move communities onto the state’s health care plan. State lawmakers have shown little appetite for forcing an overhaul of the system. The state forbids cities and towns from shifting health care costs to employees without bargaining with unions. It is this aspect of state law that municipal officials say the Legislature must rewrite to address the crisis.” 3-1-10
The Aim: Healthy Lunches – “A state bill mandating that schools provide students with nutritious foods in cafeterias and vending machines is moving through the Legislature, and at least one town worries the bill’s requirements will bust its school food-service budget and bog down managers with paperwork.” 2-281-10