Massachusetts business leaders have written letters to both Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and President of the Senate Stanley Rosenberg commending their commitment to taking up charter school legislation, and urging an expansion of charters to meet the high demand among Massachusetts' youth. 

"With a 20-year record of success... [charters] are a highly effective solution to one of America's deepest and most persistent challenges: the achievement gap between wealthy and economically challenged students..." the letters state.

In addition, their plea calls for charter legislation that is demand driven, acutely responding to the desires parents and students have for more choice among schooling opportunities, and keeps the unique fiscal and managerial aspects of charters in tact. They cite Governor Baker's charter bill filed in October as a high quality example from which future legislation should draw inspiration.

MassFiscal commends the business community's support of innovative education policy that improves the well-being of students while also keeping the commonwealth's finances in order. We continue to be supporters of increased access to charter schools in Massachusetts.

To view the letter to the house, click here. To view the letter to the senate, click here. To view Governor Baker's charter legislation click here.

(Boston) - "Fiscal sanity is as rare on Beacon Hill as that white giraffe spotted in Africa yesterday," Paul Craney said today, urging the members of his advocacy group, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, to celebrate as Governor Charlie Baker presents his budget proposal this afternoon. "Governor Baker, unlike his predecessor, won't stick his head in the sand and ignore the damage a bloated budget causes our economy. We look forward to watching him make tough short-term choices that ensure the Commonwealth's long-term health."

Baker's budget is expected to contain lots of level funding and belt tightening as he plots a path which will close the gap between revenues and expenditures.

The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth.

(BOSTON)—The number of votes taken on Beacon Hill in 2015 plummeted over decades past, according to a study commissioned by the watchdog group Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance and in conjunction with Insta Track.

A mere 41 significant votes were cast in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, significant votes being all roll call votes which are not unanimous, veto overrises, or procedurally mandated. The number is miniscule when compared with the 149 significant roll calls taken in 2013, the 115 in 2014 or the 20-year average of 110.

A study of voting behavior based on a partial year conducted in September indicated a trend of legislative inaction, but watchers had hoped the House might mend its ways and thus end the year on a high note.

Paul Craney, executive director of MassFiscal, noted a marked drop in vote taking immediately following the Alliance’s large scale advocacy campaign in which over 2 million pieces of literature were sent into 21 legislative districts. “Our advocacy was effective,” Craney said. “This is an unintended consequence of opening up the goings on of Beacon Hill to public scrutiny.”

“How the business of governing will change as the House loses its institutional memory of voting behavior is something we’re studying carefully,” Craney added. “The House not voting, or rarely voting, is as odd as seeing a circus without animals.”

MassFiscal advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth.

For a complete list of the House data since 1995, click here